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Data and Digital

Workstream leads

Professor John Ainsworth

Professor of Health Informatics,

University of Manchester

Professor Ann John

Professor of Public Health and Psychiatry (Mental Health Data Science),

Swansea University

Research focus

The Data and Digital workstream is a central pillar of the Mental Health Translational Research Collaboration (MH-TRC) Mission, designed to accelerate the development and evaluation of innovative treatments for mental health disorders. This workstream harnesses the power of data and digital infrastructure, routinely collected health data, and emerging technologies to enhance the precision, efficiency, and scalability of mental health research.

Key areas of focus include digital phenotyping, natural language processing of electronic health records, passive sensing, wearable devices, and informatics platforms that support clinical trials. By integrating these technologies, the workstream aims to transform how mental health conditions are understood, diagnosed, and treated enabling real-time data collection, improved trial design, and enhanced participant engagement.

Regional context

This workstream is supported by a consortium of leading academic and clinical institutions across the UK, including:

These partners bring together expertise in data science, clinical research, trusted research environments and digital innovation, enabling the workstream to operate across diverse healthcare settings and populations. Collaboration with both MH-TRC Mission demonstrator sites, the Mental Health Mission Midlands Translational Centre (MHM MTC) and the Mental Health Research for Innovation Centre (M-RIC) ensures that regional implementation is aligned with national strategy and supports scalable translational outcomes.

Research aims

The overarching aim of the Data and Digital workstream is to enable the consistent and effective use of digital tools and data in mental health research.

Specific objectives include:

  • Unlocking the potential of routinely collected health data to inform trial design and outcome measurement
  • Developing informatics platforms to support recruitment, randomisation, and follow-up in clinical trials
  • Capturing person-generated health data (PGHD) through smartphones and wearable technologies
  • Standardising software and analytical tools for data collection and processing
  • Building capacity by sharing methods, code and training resources across the MH-TRC

These aims are delivered through three coordinated work packages:

  1. Collaboration and Implementation: Led by Professors Ann John and John Ainsworth. Supporting demonstrator sites and MH-TRC Mission’s thematic workstreams to build infrastructure and inform strategic priorities.
  2. Informatics for Trials from Electronic Health Records (EHRs): Led by Professor Rob Stewart (King’s College London) and Professor Ann John, this package develops an atlas of clinical phenotypes and outcomes, supported by natural language processing (NLP) tools to extract insights from EHRs and transcribed speech.
  3. Person-Generated Health Data: Led by Professor Richard Dobson (King’s College London) and Professor John Ainsworth, this package focuses on capturing and processing data from smartphones and wearables, enabling real-time monitoring and personalised interventions.

Impact

The integration of data and digital technologies into mental health research has the potential to revolutionise clinical trials and treatment development. By streamlining recruitment, improving data quality, and enabling real-world outcome tracking, this workstream supports faster, more inclusive, and more effective research.

Collaboration with the MH-TRC Mission’s Capacity Development workstream and DATAMIND ensures that training materials and tools are widely disseminated, equipping the mental health workforce with the skills needed to adopt and apply these innovations. Ultimately, this workstream contributes to a future where mental health care is data-driven, personalised, and responsive to the needs of diverse populations. Ultimately, the workstream contributes to a future where mental health care is data-driven, equitable, and personalised, and where innovations can be scaled across the NHS and beyond to benefit diverse populations.