
Dr Claire A Wilson
NIHR Academic Clinical Lecturer and Psychiatry Specialist Registrar
Contact details
Biography
Claire studied medicine at the University of Glasgow, where she also obtained an intercalated BSc in Psychological Medicine with First Class Honours. After finishing her foundation years on the Academic Foundation Programme and her first year of psychiatry training in Glasgow, she moved to South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust to complete the remainder of her core psychiatry training and take up an NIHR Academic Clinical Fellowship, during which time she also obtained membership of the Royal College of Psychiatrists.
Following this, Claire was awarded an MRC Clinical Research Training Fellowship to explore the interface between gestational diabetes and maternal and infant mental health outcomes, obtaining a PhD in epidemiological psychiatry. She is currently a Psychiatry Specialist Registrar at South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust and a clinical researcher. Her interests are in how multimorbid physical and mental ill health in the preconception and perinatal periods shape offspring outcomes across generations. She is also a keen educator and the academic secretary for the Women and Mental Health Special Interest Group of the UK’s Royal College of Psychiatrists.
Research Interests
- Psychiatric epidemiology
- Maternal and preconception mental health
- Infant mental health
- Nutrition
- Physical-mental health interface in pregnancy
- Substance misuse in pregnancy
- Medical education
Teaching
- iBSc Women’s Health
- BSc Psychology
- MBBS Year 2
- MSc Developmental Psychology and Psychopathology
- Women’s Mental Health summer school
Expertise and Public Engagement
- Cochrane Library podcast: Antidepressant treatment for postnatal depression https://www.cochrane.org/podcasts/10.1002/14651858.CD013560.pub2. Jun 2021.
- UK representative on Management Committee of European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) Network on Perinatal Depression. Apr 2019-present.
- Advisory Board, International Federation of Wellbeing in Pregnancy. Jan 2018- present.
- Academic Secretary, Women and Mental Health Special Interest Group, Royal College of Psychiatrists. May 2016-present.
- Mending the Gap podcast: https://soundcloud.com/user-677776636/exploring-physical-mental-health-interface-pregnancy-with-dr-claire-wilson. Apr 2020.
- Commission with King’s Culture for short film about experiences of women with gestational diabetes: https://www.gestationaldiabetes.co.uk/gd-one-prick-at-a-time/. Sep 2020-Apr 2021.
Research

Section of Women’s Mental Health
The Section of Women’s Mental Health (SWMH) undertakes mental health services and policy research with a primary focus on women’s mental health. We carry out global research into the gendered determinants of mental health problems and the needs of women with mental health problems using epidemiological and qualitative methods and develop and evaluate interventions to meet those needs and inform health policy. Our work contributes to policymaking and healthcare practice both nationally and internationally.
Status not set
Gestational diabetes and maternal and infant mental health
This PhD project aims to establish whether or not gestational diabetes is associated with adverse maternal and child mental health outcomes.
Project status: Ongoing
News
Women with mental illness significantly less likely to seek help from a doctor when planning pregnancy
New research from the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN) at King’s College London, in partnership with the University of Strathclyde...

Prospective parents' mental health associated with premature births
New research from King’s College London finds an association between the mental health of prospective parents and the likelihood of premature births.

International survey to assess impact of COVID-19 on pregnant women and new mothers
A researcher from King’s College London is leading the UK arm of an international study aiming to understand the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on pregnant...

Research

Section of Women’s Mental Health
The Section of Women’s Mental Health (SWMH) undertakes mental health services and policy research with a primary focus on women’s mental health. We carry out global research into the gendered determinants of mental health problems and the needs of women with mental health problems using epidemiological and qualitative methods and develop and evaluate interventions to meet those needs and inform health policy. Our work contributes to policymaking and healthcare practice both nationally and internationally.
Status not set
Gestational diabetes and maternal and infant mental health
This PhD project aims to establish whether or not gestational diabetes is associated with adverse maternal and child mental health outcomes.
Project status: Ongoing
News
Women with mental illness significantly less likely to seek help from a doctor when planning pregnancy
New research from the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN) at King’s College London, in partnership with the University of Strathclyde...

Prospective parents' mental health associated with premature births
New research from King’s College London finds an association between the mental health of prospective parents and the likelihood of premature births.

International survey to assess impact of COVID-19 on pregnant women and new mothers
A researcher from King’s College London is leading the UK arm of an international study aiming to understand the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on pregnant...
