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Professor Stephani Hatch
Professor Stephani Hatch

Professor Stephani Hatch

Vice Dean for Culture, Diversity & Inclusion

  • Professor of Sociology and Epidemiology

Pronouns

she/her

Biography

Stephani joined King’s College London in December 2006 and leads the Health Inequalities Research Group, working across sectors, locally and nationally, to deliver interdisciplinary research on inequalities in mental health in marginalised communities and across health services with an emphasis on race at the intersection of other social identities. She has expertise in sociology and psychiatric epidemiology, using mixed quantitative and qualitative methods to study the impact of discrimination, social adversity, social determinants over the life course on mental health and multimorbidity. Her work integrates collaborative and inclusive approaches to knowledge production, dissemination and action across capacity building, education and training, impact strategies and research. She holds local and national policy advisory roles across the health and social care sector and voluntary and community sector. Stephani has also been co-leading initiatives promoting and changing policies to insure the embeddedness of inclusive research culture, equality, diversity and inclusion at KCL since 2014.

Stephani is the Principal Investigator (PI) for the Tackling Inequalities and Discrimination Experiences in Health Services (TIDES) study which was initially funded by Wellcome. To address the role of discrimination by healthcare professionals in generating and perpetuating health inequalities, Stephani’s team have used innovative quantitative and qualitative methods, including linked survey and health record data, as well as virtual reality methods to examine how biases and discrimination impact clinical interactions and treatment recommendations. The study was expanded in 2020 with funding from the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) as part of UK Research and Innovation’s rapid response to the COVID-19 pandemic, to utilise a participatory framework identifying mechanisms through which racial and ethnic inequalities in mental health and occupational outcomes are produced, maintained and resisted.

Stephani co-leads the Marginalised Communities and Mental Health programme within the ESRC Centre for Society and Mental Health, focused on working in close partnership with communities that have often been ignored, to examine and disrupt structures maintaining social inequities in mental health. She is PI for the CONNECT study (CONtributions of social NEtworks to Community Thriving) which uses Participatory Action Research (PAR) to investigate social capital and networks as resources that benefit (or hinder) marginalised communities and their mental health. It focuses primarily on Black and other minoritised groups, with an intersectional focus accounting for gender, migration, socio-economic status, and more.

Since November 2021 Stephani has also co-led the Health and Social Equity Collective with funding from a King’s Together Infrastructure Award and Impact on Urban Health (part of Guy’s and St. Thomas’ Foundation). The co-developing Health and Social Equity Collective is comprised of local, national and international partners consisting of researchers, experts by experience, community leaders, policy makers, artists and health professionals responding to persistent social and health inequities. The HSE Collective is carrying out the Community Organised Research for Equity (CORE) project, which involves Impact on Urban Health funding six community-driven population health projects that communities in the boroughs of Southwark and Lambeth in London have identified as crucial priorities.

These current projects build on Stephani’s work as co-PI of the South East London Community Health (SELCoH) study, one of the largest, most comprehensive UK studies of urban mental health and service use that provides much-needed data on ethnic minority and migrant populations, set in the boroughs of Southwark and Lambeth from 2008 to 2015.

Education and Training

  • 2016 Senior Fellow, UK Higher Education Academy
  • 2005 National Institute of Mental Health Postdoctoral Training Fellowship, Psychiatric Epidemiology, Columbia University, New York, NY, US
  • 2002 PhD Sociology, National Institute of Mental Health/American Sociological Association Pre-Doctoral Fellow, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, US
  • 1996 MA Sociology, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia, US
  • 1993 BA Psychology (Minor: Sociology), Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, US

Research Interests

  • Population mental health
  • Inequalities in health and health services
  • Health and social equity
  • Mental health over the life course
  • Discrimination and other social adversities
  • Mixed methods (quantitative and qualitative) and inclusive research approaches

Teaching

2021-present:

  • Co-Director, King’s PhD in Mental Health Research for Health Professionals, KCL

2010-2021:

  • Course Director and Module Lead, Integrated Academic Training, Applied Research Methods Course, Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine and IoPPN, KCL

2010-present:

  • Personal Tutor, Department of Psychological Medicine, IoPPN, KCL

Expertise and Public Engagement:

Stephani is the founder and lead for the Health Inequalities Research Network (HERON), a public engagement network that promotes collaborative community approaches to knowledge dissemination, action and youth outreach. The range of engagement activities can be found on the Health Inequalities Research Network (HERON) website Twitter: @HeronNetwork

Selected Current Boards include:

  • Foundation for the Sociology of Health and Illness, Trustee
  • MQ Mental Health Sciences Council
  • Pembroke House, Trustee
  • Deputy Editor, Society and Mental Health, American Sociological Association
  • NHS Race and Health Observatory, Co-Chair Academic Reference Group and Board Member
  • Thrive London Advisory Board
  • Institute of Women and Ethnic Studies, Board Member, USA

 

    Research

    lgbtq-
    LGBTQ+ Mental Health Research Group

    Research at LGBT + Mental Health investigates factors which contribute to the mental health of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and other sexual and gender minority individuals (LGBT+)

    Status not set
    Health Inequalities Research Network (HERON)

    The Health inequalities Research Network (HERON) is a research and public engagement network launched in 2011

    Status not set
    tides logo
    Tackling Inequalities and Discrimination Experiences in health Services (TIDES)

    TIDES study investigates how discrimination experienced by both patients and healthcare practitioners may generate and perpetuate inequalities in health service

    Project status: Ongoing

    mental-health-and-brain-research-must-be-a-higher-priority-in-global-response-to-tackle-covid-19-pandemic-cropped-780x440
    Health Inequalities Research Group

    Health Inequalities Research Group is focused on discrimination and other forms of social adversity; community mental health; inequalities in mental health and health services.

    Status not set
    suphi-hero-1
    Social science and Urban public health institute

    Working with collaborators around the theme of urban public health

    Status not set
    SSS Community
    CONtributions of social NETworks to Community Thriving (CONNECT)

    The CONtributions of social NETworks to Community Thriving (CONNECT) Study uses Participatory Action Research to investigate networks and wellbeing.

    Project status: Starting

    Untitled design-23
    Mental Health Policy Research Unit

    Welcome to the NIHR Mental Health Policy Research Unit (MHPRU), established at UCL and KCL in 2017.

    Status not set
    MR VR app Promo
    IoPPN Virtual Reality Research Lab

    The IoPPN Virtual Reality Research Lab (VR Lab) is led by Dr Lucia Valmaggia and is a world-leading multidisciplinary group dedicated to VR based research, assessment and treatments for mental health.

    Status not set

    News

    A new generation of Inspiring Women at the IoPPN

    28 new portraits of internationally recognised female professors at the Faculty have been added to IoPPN’s ‘Inspiring Women’ exhibition, celebrating the...

    Inspiring Women cover photo

    A Mentally Healthier Nation: support from ESRC Centre for Society and Mental Health

    The new ‘A Mentally Healthier Nation’ report by the Centre for Mental Health has called for cross-cutting policy to increasing mental health. The report’s...

    People in a Street

    Exposure to air pollution is associated with increased use of psychiatric services in people with dementia

    New research from the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN) at king's College London has found exposure to air pollution is associated...

    Air-pollution

    PRiSM project explores religion, spirituality and mental health in Southeast London faith communities

    The Perspectives on Religion and Spirituality in coping with Mental health (PRiSM) project, aims to understand the role of religion and spirituality in...

    Faith and mental health - a light at the end of the tunnel? illustraton by Federica Ciotti

    Professor Stephani Hatch receives standing ovation for inaugural lecture

    Professor Hatch presented “Fighting for Health and Social Equity: Lessons from a southernplayalistic ATLien" on Thursday 30 March 2023 to a full house at the...

    Hatch_Inaugural

    Pandemic may have triggered second 'midlife crisis' for over-50s

    British adults experienced highest-ever levels of poor mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic, triggering a second ‘midlife crisis’.

    mental-health-assessment-hero

    Professor Stephani Hatch joins the MQ Mental Health Science Council

    Professor Stephani Hatch has joined the MQ Mental Health Science Council, to work alongside global experts from a range of disciplines to advise MQ on...

    Stephani Hatch

    Generational inequalities in mental health accelerated with the COVID-19 pandemic

    Generational inequalities in mental health widened over the course of the UK’s COVID-19 pandemic, according to a new peer-reviewed study published in the...

    deaton-inequality-hero

    New report guides the development of an anti-racist practice resource for NHS staff

    Researchers at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN) at King’s College London, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust and...

    tides nhs check bame study

    Nkasi Stoll receives King's Distinguished Alumni 2022 award

    Nkasi Stoll from the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience has received the King's Distinguished Alumni 2022 Future Alumna award.

    Nkasi+Stoll+(2)

    Events

    30MarStephani Hatch inaugural lecture

    Professor Stephani Hatch - Inaugural Lecture

    Join us in celebrating Professor Stephani Hatch's inaugural lecture on 'Fighting for Health and Social Equity: Lessons from a southernplayalistic ATLien.'

    Please note: this event has passed.

    08DecHarold Moody (780 × 450 px)

    Harold Moody Lecture 2022

    Professor Stephani Hatch on 'Accelerating the Pace of Change in Tackling Social and Mental Health Inequalities and Inequities

    Please note: this event has passed.

    Features

    Pandemic impacts on mental health of young people: the REACH study

    The REACH Study have published a series of reports on the impact of Covid-19 on adolescent mental health.

    Young people attending the REACH Festival.

      Research

      lgbtq-
      LGBTQ+ Mental Health Research Group

      Research at LGBT + Mental Health investigates factors which contribute to the mental health of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and other sexual and gender minority individuals (LGBT+)

      Status not set
      Health Inequalities Research Network (HERON)

      The Health inequalities Research Network (HERON) is a research and public engagement network launched in 2011

      Status not set
      tides logo
      Tackling Inequalities and Discrimination Experiences in health Services (TIDES)

      TIDES study investigates how discrimination experienced by both patients and healthcare practitioners may generate and perpetuate inequalities in health service

      Project status: Ongoing

      mental-health-and-brain-research-must-be-a-higher-priority-in-global-response-to-tackle-covid-19-pandemic-cropped-780x440
      Health Inequalities Research Group

      Health Inequalities Research Group is focused on discrimination and other forms of social adversity; community mental health; inequalities in mental health and health services.

      Status not set
      suphi-hero-1
      Social science and Urban public health institute

      Working with collaborators around the theme of urban public health

      Status not set
      SSS Community
      CONtributions of social NETworks to Community Thriving (CONNECT)

      The CONtributions of social NETworks to Community Thriving (CONNECT) Study uses Participatory Action Research to investigate networks and wellbeing.

      Project status: Starting

      Untitled design-23
      Mental Health Policy Research Unit

      Welcome to the NIHR Mental Health Policy Research Unit (MHPRU), established at UCL and KCL in 2017.

      Status not set
      MR VR app Promo
      IoPPN Virtual Reality Research Lab

      The IoPPN Virtual Reality Research Lab (VR Lab) is led by Dr Lucia Valmaggia and is a world-leading multidisciplinary group dedicated to VR based research, assessment and treatments for mental health.

      Status not set

      News

      A new generation of Inspiring Women at the IoPPN

      28 new portraits of internationally recognised female professors at the Faculty have been added to IoPPN’s ‘Inspiring Women’ exhibition, celebrating the...

      Inspiring Women cover photo

      A Mentally Healthier Nation: support from ESRC Centre for Society and Mental Health

      The new ‘A Mentally Healthier Nation’ report by the Centre for Mental Health has called for cross-cutting policy to increasing mental health. The report’s...

      People in a Street

      Exposure to air pollution is associated with increased use of psychiatric services in people with dementia

      New research from the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN) at king's College London has found exposure to air pollution is associated...

      Air-pollution

      PRiSM project explores religion, spirituality and mental health in Southeast London faith communities

      The Perspectives on Religion and Spirituality in coping with Mental health (PRiSM) project, aims to understand the role of religion and spirituality in...

      Faith and mental health - a light at the end of the tunnel? illustraton by Federica Ciotti

      Professor Stephani Hatch receives standing ovation for inaugural lecture

      Professor Hatch presented “Fighting for Health and Social Equity: Lessons from a southernplayalistic ATLien" on Thursday 30 March 2023 to a full house at the...

      Hatch_Inaugural

      Pandemic may have triggered second 'midlife crisis' for over-50s

      British adults experienced highest-ever levels of poor mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic, triggering a second ‘midlife crisis’.

      mental-health-assessment-hero

      Professor Stephani Hatch joins the MQ Mental Health Science Council

      Professor Stephani Hatch has joined the MQ Mental Health Science Council, to work alongside global experts from a range of disciplines to advise MQ on...

      Stephani Hatch

      Generational inequalities in mental health accelerated with the COVID-19 pandemic

      Generational inequalities in mental health widened over the course of the UK’s COVID-19 pandemic, according to a new peer-reviewed study published in the...

      deaton-inequality-hero

      New report guides the development of an anti-racist practice resource for NHS staff

      Researchers at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN) at King’s College London, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust and...

      tides nhs check bame study

      Nkasi Stoll receives King's Distinguished Alumni 2022 award

      Nkasi Stoll from the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience has received the King's Distinguished Alumni 2022 Future Alumna award.

      Nkasi+Stoll+(2)

      Events

      30MarStephani Hatch inaugural lecture

      Professor Stephani Hatch - Inaugural Lecture

      Join us in celebrating Professor Stephani Hatch's inaugural lecture on 'Fighting for Health and Social Equity: Lessons from a southernplayalistic ATLien.'

      Please note: this event has passed.

      08DecHarold Moody (780 × 450 px)

      Harold Moody Lecture 2022

      Professor Stephani Hatch on 'Accelerating the Pace of Change in Tackling Social and Mental Health Inequalities and Inequities

      Please note: this event has passed.

      Features

      Pandemic impacts on mental health of young people: the REACH study

      The REACH Study have published a series of reports on the impact of Covid-19 on adolescent mental health.

      Young people attending the REACH Festival.