DrDiana Varaden

Dr Diana Varaden is an Assistant Professor in Environmental Social Science and Health in the Environmental Research Group at the School of Public Health, Imperial College London, where she leads the Social and Environmental Exposure Science Team.

Her research focuses on the human dimensions of environmental challenges, with a particular interest in air pollution, environmental inequalities and healthy homes. She works to ensure that environmental research not only generates robust evidence, but also delivers socially informed, equitable and implementable solutions. She is particularly interested in how social science can strengthen environmental health research by integrating lived experience, community knowledge and behavioural insights into research, policy and practice. She has expertise in participatory research, implementation science, risk communication, and the rigorous evaluation of public engagement and involvement initiatives. Her work bridges environmental exposure science, social science and health to improve the relevance, impact and translation of research into real-world policy and practice.

Dr Varaden is an Activity Lead for the WHO Collaborating Centre for Environmental Risks and Health at Imperial College London, supporting research and knowledge exchange on environmental risks and their impacts on health. She is also part-funded by Impact on Urban Health (IoUH) to lead the strategic partnership between IoUH and the Environmental Research Group (ERG), which brings together rigorous environmental science and community insight to address air pollution and health inequalities and support practical action towards cleaner, healthier neighbourhoods.

Alongside her research, Dr Varaden is actively involved in teaching and mentoring within the social science and public health domains. Her teaching emphasises critical thinking, methodological innovation and the practical application of social science approaches to environmental health challenges. She is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA), recognising her commitment to excellence in teaching and supporting learning in higher education.

Key Research Projects:

• WellHome II Retrofit for Health (Pathfinder Phase) - Ongoing
• West London Healthy Home and Environment Study (WellHome) - 2021-2025
• The Breathe London Wearables Study- Engaging primary school children to monitor air pollution in London. 2019 - 2020

Postgraduate PhD Student Supervision:

Elmi, M - Perceptions of air pollution, health and COVID in minority ethnic communities in White City, West London (ESRC LISS DTP’s Collaborative (CASE) funded studentship, supported by Impact on Urban Health, part of Guy’s and St. Thomas' Charity (GSTT)).

Craddock, J - The physical and psychological health perceptions and support needs of for adults born preterm (NIHR Imperial Biomedical Research Centre funded studentship, supported by the Adult Preemie Advocacy Network (APAN)

Yang, W - Social and public health impacts of brownfield redevelopment: a mixed methods study of neighbourhoods in England (ESRC LISS DTP’s Collaborative (CASE) funded studentship, supported by the British Geological Survey).

Shelley, C – How Do Retrofitting Practices Transform the Lives and Environmental Conditions of Racialised and Socioeconomically Disadvantaged Communities? (ESRC LISS DTP’s Collaborative (CASE) funded studentship, supported by Impact on Urban Health, part of Guy’s and St. Thomas' Charity (GSTT)).