Dr Antonis Kousoulis MD, MSc, DrPH, FRSA

Profile

I am a seasoned leader in public health with over 10 years of senior executive experience leading partnerships and strategy across civil society, government and academia in the UK and internationally. I also work as a freelance consultant in public health, mental health, and leadership and strategy development. In my freelance practice, I work with a network of associates.

Senior roles

I am currently the Global Director of Programmes at the Internatonal Alliance of Mental Health Research Funders.

I have led the World Healthy Life Week campaign for the Healthy Heart Charity. I have been the Director of England & Wales at the Mental Health Foundation, overseeing research, programmes and policy, as well as the organisational strategy and Mental Health Awareness Week. I have also been the Deputy Director for Development at the public health data centre of the UK Department of Health and Social Care.

Advisory roles

I have fulfilled various senior advisory roles, including with the NHS England Advancing Health Equalities Taskforce and the Presidential Taskforce of the American Psychiatric Association on the Social Determinants of Health. Among others, I have also been an Advisor to Thrive LDN, Public Health England and the UK Govervnment's Independent Scientific Pandemic Insights Group on Behaviours (SPI-B).

Global health

In addition, I have led an extensive portfolio of work in global health. For example, I have completed research on the cultural factors of public health intervention acceptance for Ebola in West Africa, I have assessed the availability of public mental health interventions of asylum seekers in the EU, I have done research on the acceptability of an adapted school mental health promotion programme in New Delhi, India, and I have supported the campaigning for the United Nations' "We Can End Poverty" Millenium Development Goals.

Academic profile

I am an active academic and have been a Visiting Lecturer, Fellow or Supervisor, among others, at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, King's College London, the University of Liverpool and Oxford University. I qualified in Medicine (MD) at the University of Athens, Greece, and have completed an MSc on the History and Sociology of Health and Medicine at Imperial College London, and a Doctorate in Public Health (DrPH) at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine. I have published over 140 scientific papers, peer reviewed and presented extensively, and held various editorial appointments.

Partnerships

I have led significant partnerships, amongst others, with Cambridge University, the FDA, the US National Institutes of Health, and Cochrane. I have extensive experience of working with policy makers and frequently engage with mainstream media.

Leadership

In my career, I have directed large and diverse teams. My leadership is guided by the principles of kindness, diplomacy and trauma-informed practice. I am regularly leading workshops and coaching on leadership in public health and mental health.

Recognition

As a Fellow of the Royal Society of the Arts, I am recognised as a leading thinker in public mental health and for fostering a new generation of public health leaders. I am also a Fellow of the Royal Society of Public Health, a member of the Faculty of Public Health, and fully certified with the International Board of Lifestyle Medicine. I was a Mentor of the Year finalist by Women of the Future in 2021.

I believe in compassionate leadership, co-produced innovation, real world research and fair policies. And in relentlessly trying to influence better health and better lives for all, under any circumstances.