Dr Harriet Hunt is a Research Fellow specialising in the interplay between complex health systems, human behaviour, and the natural world, with a focus on producing impactful, policy-relevant evidence. Harriet earned her PhD in Medical Research from the University of Exeter Medical School in 2019, where her thesis explored improving cognitive assessments for dementia diagnosis in general practice. She also has an MSc in Psychological Research Methods and a BSc in Psychology and Criminology, and has previously worked in regional government and NHS digital infrastructure. Dr Hunt has published an extensive range of tailored outputs for different audiences, leveraging her expertise to inform national and international policy and contribute to advancing health equity through innovative and collaborative approaches.

Harriet is interested in understanding human health interventions and how evidence is used in the real world. She is particularly interested in producing applied evidence to inform policymaking, blending rigorous research integrity with accessible communication. Her research interests span various domains, including mental health, diagnostic decision making, and the place of nature-based interventions in health systems. She collaborates with numerous national and international organizations, such as NICE, WHO, Cochrane, and the Department of Health, as well as third sector and statutory health organizations. Harriet is increasingly interested in how to meaningfully involve the public and people outside of academic research as co-researchers, and regularly works with different groups to enhance the practical impact of her studies. Her projects have explored themes ranging from the evaluation of green social prescribing initiatives, addressing obesity using a whole system approach, and the diagnosis of dementia in UK primary care, to improving healthcare protocols during the Covid-19 pandemic.