Dr Helen Macintyre

Helen is Principal Climate Change Scientist at UKHSA.  She is an interdisciplinary scientific researcher with over 18 years’ experience at academic and governmental organisations. While she works now primarily in climate change and human health, her experience covers a broad range of environment and climate-related science, including atmospheric chemistry, climate science, air quality, urban climate and the built environment, temperature effects on health, health impact assessment, public health, Earth sciences, global and regional atmospheric modelling, and public engagement.

Helen led several chapters of the 4th Health Effects of Climate Change in the UK report, on temperature effects, air pollution, and health co-benefits of climate action. Her research explores various aspects of climate change and health, such as heat and cold effects on health including the urban heat island (UHI), air quality, understanding and quantifying the impacts of climate change on health, both now and in the future, and she has a strong interest in understanding the health implications of climate actions, in particular nature-based solutions, and how providing quantified evidence on climate and health can support actions to protect health in a changing climate. At UKHSA Helen leads on applying climate projections to assess future health risks from climate change, am part of the UKCP Data and Knowledge Sharing (DaKS) group, and collaborate with the UK Met Office on a range of research projects.