Senior Research Associate at the Digital Mental Health Programme at the Medical Research Council Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit, University of Cambridge.
Dr Amrit Kaur Purba is an interdisciplinary social scientist with expertise in public health, social psychology, epidemiology, and policy. Her research investigates the potential causal relationship between social media use and adolescent health and wellbeing, examining the social psychological mechanisms through which social media may influence outcomes. Beyond social media use, her research also considers the broader social determinants of health and how these factors contribute to health inequalities.
Research
With a diverse background spanning clinical practice, policy, industry, and academia, Dr Amrit Kaur Purba brings a unique interdisciplinary perspective that bridges clinical and population-level insights across healthcare, academia, policymaking, and industry. She is highly skilled in advanced statistical and epidemiological methods, with a particular focus on causal inference applied to observational data. Dr Purba is committed to conducting inclusive research that prioritises underrepresented youth, critically evaluating the evidence surrounding social media use and its impact on adolescent health and social behaviors, and effectively communicating these findings to both the public and policymakers.
As a strong advocate for collaboration, Dr Purba brings together researchers, policymakers, and industry professionals to develop transparent, ethical approaches for accessing detailed user engagement data. Her work aims to advance high-quality research that ensures the safety and wellbeing of adolescents, with a particular focus on those from marginalised communities.
Research Interests
Digital Media Use, Wellbeing & Inclusion
Adolescent Health & Wellbeing
Social Psychology
Intersectionality & Social Justice
Open Research & Meta-Science
Public Health
Health Inequalities
Causal Inference in Observational Data
Epidemiology
Social Determinants of Health
Participatory & Inclusive Research
Online Platform Data Donation
Impact & Recognition
Dedicated to enhancing scientific rigour, Dr Purba effectively communicates her findings to alleviate public concerns. Her work, supported by national and international funders, charities, and foundations, has been recognised in numerous high-impact, peer-reviewed publications, including the prestigious British Medical Journal. These contributions have significantly influenced health policy and provided guidance to educators and caregivers worldwide, helping to leverage digital media as a tool for promoting health rather than impeding it.
Dr Purba plays a crucial role in public health initiatives focused on the impact of digital media on adolescent health, actively working to reduce health inequalities. Recognising the broader societal implications of her work, she actively engages with policymakers, the media, and key stakeholders to communicate her research and provide expert guidance. Her work has had significant international impact, and she currently serves as an expert advisor to 10 Downing Street, the United Nations, the Department for Education, the Home Office, and the US Knight First Amendment Institute. Additionally, she collaborates with UK government ministers and international commissioners to shape policies on social media and its societal implications, with a focus on supporting underrepresented youth.
Dr Purba's research and insights have been showcased at numerous UK and international conferences, and she has been featured in prominent media outlets such as the BBC, The Times, Forbes, Independent, and The Scotsman. She has received several prestigious awards, including the Sigma Theta Tau International Honour Society Award and the Royal College of Nursing Foundation Trevor Clay Award, in recognition of her efforts to address health inequalities.
UK Anti-Knife Crime Coalition Roundtable at No. 10 Downing Street.
Hosted by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, with Home Secretary Yvette Cooper and Idris Elba also present.
United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Technical Consultation Meeting On Social Media and Drug Use Prevention.
Recent media contribution: Idris Elba: Our Knife Crime Crisis (BBC, 2025)
