Health Data Science

Protecting and improving health through advanced statistical techniques and clinical trials methods.

The increasingly large amount of healthcare data currently collected opens the door to exciting challenges and opportunities. The application of complex statistical approaches can be used to optimise the information available, with the primary goal of improving healthcare delivery processes and interventions in our community and beyond.

We focus on the development and application of statistical techniques and clinical trials methodology to address a variety of healthcare problems.

Our challenges

Clinical trials methodology

Better care requires quality research. We accelerate the development of new methods for designing, conducting, and analysing clinical trials, especially in challenging areas.

Evidence synthesis

Health decisions need strong evidence. We create and apply evidence synthesis methods to help healthcare professionals deliver safe, effective care.

Health informatics

Electronic health data is vital for future research. We develop methodologies to enhance health outcome measurement in trials, registries, and electronic health records.

Statistical modelling

Reliable health outcomes need solid statistics. Our research groups focus on multivariate data modeling, genetic analysis, prognostic modeling, and causal analysis.

Research centres

Liverpool Clinical Trials Centre (LCTC)

The LCTC is a leading UK clinical trials unit and research group which works with the NHS and commercial partners, patients and the public to contribute to the identification and evaluation of new and innovative treatments and devices.

Liverpool Reviews and Implementation Group (LRiG)

Specialising in systematic review methodologies, LRiG's expert team produces high-quality, policy relevant research on behalf of the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and others to facilitate evidence-based decision making in healthcare.

Study with us

Courses and workshops

We deliver a wide selection of courses and workshops. From day workshops to 3 day events or longer, these will introduce delegates to the fundamentals of Health Data Science covering topics such as identifying issues in the design of projects, various types of analysis, and how to use R software.

MSc in Health Data Science

Offering specialist training for current and aspiring health data scientists, this MSc combines research-focused teaching, training and development in an emerging discipline. The MSc in Health Data Science is supported by Health Data Research UK – the national institute for health data science.

Case studies

Informing clinical policy on epilepsy treatment

Our research into diagnosis and treatment guidance has informed practice and policy worldwide in the management of patients presenting with newly diagnosed epilepsy.

HLA alleles as genetic predictors

Our research has led to positive changes in the impact on immune-mediated drug hypersensitivity reactions, which can be severe and life-threatening.

Treatment outcomes in epilepsy

We have undertaken a programme of work assessing treatment outcomes associated with antiepileptic drug treatment in patients with epilepsy. This work has influenced prescribing in the UK and worldwide.

Key staff

Doing a systematic review: top tips

Systematic reviews bring existing evidence together in a structured way to inform policy, practice questions or research methods. Here, Dr Angela Boland, Dr Ruaraidh Hill and Dr Michelle Maden showcase our successful book ‘Doing a systematic review: a student’s guide’ and share their top tips.