
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

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

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...

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...

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...

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...

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

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

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...

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...

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...

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...
