Skip to main content
Sam Norton

Professor Sam Norton PhD

Professor of Medical Statistics & Applied Health Research

  • Deputy Head, Department of Psychology

Research interests

  • Psychology

Biography

I joined King’s College London in 2012 and currently hold a joint appointment as Professor of Medical Statistics and Applied Health Research across the Department of Psychology, where I am the Deputy Head (Research), and the Centre for Rheumatic Diseases in the Department of Inflammation Biology. My research is interdisciplinary, spanning both mental and physical health, with a particular focus on chronic inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis. Underpinning my research is and aim to improve patient outcomes by applying robust and appropriate statistical methods in clinical trials, large-scale observational studies, and predictive modelling.

I have extensive experience with large-scale collaborative research projects, frequently employing mixed-methods approaches. Research activities I have been involved with have attracted over £20 million in grant funding, and I have published over 250 peer-reviewed papers. I have served as a senior statistician in several definitive trials and lead the King’s CTU statistics hub based in immunology and microbial sciences. I also actively contribute to the field through my roles with the NIHR Research Support Service, where we provide advice and guidance to researchers developing funding applications, to help advance the quality and impact of research.

In addition to my research, I am committed to teaching and mentoring the next generation of researchers. I regularly teach courses on research methods and statistics, particularly aimed at health care professionals. My teaching philosophy emphasises hands-on learning, integrating flipped classroom techniques and mentorship to foster the academic and professional development of both postgraduate and undergraduate students.

Research interests

  • Statistical methods for clinical trials
  • Rheumatic diseases and long-term health outcomes
  • Predictive modelling and patient outcomes
  • Mental health interventions
  • Digital health research 

Teaching

  • Research methods in psychology
  • Advanced statistical techniques
  • Research design and data analysis

Expertise and public engagement

  • NIHR Research Support Service

    Research

    XPAND Trial (Enhancing XP Photoprotection Activities – New Directions)

    A study of patients with Xeroderma Pigmentosum - a rare genetic condition that interferes with the DNA repair process after exposure to ultraviolet radiation.

    Project status: Ongoing

    King's flag London
    Health Psychology Section

    Health Psychology Section is a global leading centre of clinical health psychology at King's College London

    iADJUST logo
    iADJUST: Transforming Mental Health Care in Kidney Disease

    A digital psychological intervention improving mental health and self-management in kidney disease. Delivered via Kidney Beam with therapist support.

    Project status: Ongoing

    News

    Better care integration needed for mothers in substance use services

    New research has used electronic health records to identify how to better integrate policy and practice for parents involved in public family law proceedings...

    mother and child hands

    New NIHR Research Support Service established at King's College London

    The National Institute of Health and Care Research (NIHR) has awarded £6.8 million to King’s College London to establish a new Research Support Service that...

    NIHR Research Support

    New platform looks to provide mental health support to school children

    A new platform, developed with the help of Master’s students from the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN) at King’s College London, has...

    school exam pupil student

    Alcohol misuse remains high among UK military personnel who were in service at the start of the 2003 conflict in Iraq

    The King’s Centre for Military Health Research (KCMHR) has found that more than two thirds (68%) of UK military personnel continue to misuse alcohol at levels...

    Researchers identify the reasons for drinking in UK military personnel

      Research

      XPAND Trial (Enhancing XP Photoprotection Activities – New Directions)

      A study of patients with Xeroderma Pigmentosum - a rare genetic condition that interferes with the DNA repair process after exposure to ultraviolet radiation.

      Project status: Ongoing

      King's flag London
      Health Psychology Section

      Health Psychology Section is a global leading centre of clinical health psychology at King's College London

      iADJUST logo
      iADJUST: Transforming Mental Health Care in Kidney Disease

      A digital psychological intervention improving mental health and self-management in kidney disease. Delivered via Kidney Beam with therapist support.

      Project status: Ongoing

      News

      Better care integration needed for mothers in substance use services

      New research has used electronic health records to identify how to better integrate policy and practice for parents involved in public family law proceedings...

      mother and child hands

      New NIHR Research Support Service established at King's College London

      The National Institute of Health and Care Research (NIHR) has awarded £6.8 million to King’s College London to establish a new Research Support Service that...

      NIHR Research Support

      New platform looks to provide mental health support to school children

      A new platform, developed with the help of Master’s students from the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN) at King’s College London, has...

      school exam pupil student

      Alcohol misuse remains high among UK military personnel who were in service at the start of the 2003 conflict in Iraq

      The King’s Centre for Military Health Research (KCMHR) has found that more than two thirds (68%) of UK military personnel continue to misuse alcohol at levels...

      Researchers identify the reasons for drinking in UK military personnel