Our research

Theme D aims to establish networks, procedures and systems to respond to emerging infectious disease threats in a rapid and agile way. The COVID-19 pandemic and mpox outbreak have both demonstrated the far-ranging impacts of (re)emerging infections on health systems. They also present unique challenges and opportunities in terms of research and surveillance. Potential risks include a novel STI/BBV, the emergence of non-classical STIs (e.g. mpox, Ebola), the re-emergence of neglected STIs (e.g. lymphogranuloma venereum; Mycoplasma genitalium), antimicrobial resistance in STIs, and the impact of a non-STI pandemic on STI and BBV services, service users and surveillance systems.

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Theme C optimises the use of evidence to support the development, monitoring and evaluation of efficient and sustainable services, by understanding where there is unmet need, how, where, and why people access services, and how services can adapt to meet different needs. This requires understanding, monitoring and evaluating steps along the care continuum (prevention, testing, diagnosis, treatment, and engagement in care) and contextualising the evidence in relation to key populations, pathogen and environment.

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Theme B uses interdisciplinary methods to join multiple data sources (transmission modelling, epidemiological analysis, social and behavioural sciences, health economics, microbiological laboratory work) to investigate the potential impact of novel BBV/STI control strategies, across combinations of testing programmes (diagnostics and screening), vaccination, pre and postexposure prophylaxis treatment and different delivery strategies.

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Theme A generates evidence to understand how best to achieve equitable control of STIs, and to sustain the decreases in HIV and BBVs. The overarching aim is to generate high-quality insights into the barriers and facilitators to existing and novel preventative, diagnostic and therapeutic interventions, in turn, informing service planning and commissioning; the development of vaccination guidelines for STIs and hepatitis A and B viruses; and any future Sexual and Reproductive Health strategy.

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We use behavioural, surveillance, clinical and molecular data to understand drivers for the emergence and re-emergence of STIs and other sexually transmissible infections. This understanding is key for guiding the development and implementation of tailored, timely and effective interventions.

The asymptomatic nature of some STI/BBVs means that a high proportion of affected people remain undiagnosed, resulting in possible onward transmission and increased risk of serious long-term outcomes. Young people, gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM), people who inject drugs (PWID), migrants, prisoners and homeless populations are key groups at high risk of undiagnosed STIs/BBVs.

We are developing and evaluating evidence-based STI/BBV interventions and diagnostic/laboratory tools to reach undiagnosed individuals and underserved populations.

We are identifying, understanding and managing factors influencing uptake of healthcare interventions, continuity-in-care and outcomes in persons with STIs/BBVs.

For example, effective treatment requires better understanding of viral genetic factors influencing treatment response, especially for those with rare virus strains which disproportionately affect ethnic minority populations. Additionally, individuals with BBVs/STIs often experience co-morbidities that affect their health and wellbeing.