Dr Joht Chandan
Born and raised in Birmingham, Professor Joht Singh Chandan became the youngest Clinical Professor in the UK at the age of 32 following his appointment as Clinical Professor of Public Health at the University of Birmingham in August 2024.
Joht studied medicine at University College London before returning to Birmingham in 2016 to continue his training as a junior doctor. During this time, he pursued a part-time PhD in Public Health, focusing on the health consequences of violence and abuse—work that has since defined much of his academic and clinical career.
Since then, Joht has secured over £69 million in research funding as Principal or Co-Investigator and has authored more than 140 peer-reviewed publications, establishing himself as a national and international leader in public health research. His research has provided critical insights into how survivors of violence—particularly women and children—suffer long-term health impacts, including mental illness, cardiovascular disease, and premature mortality.
Joht currently leads several major initiatives, including as Director of the NIHR Maternity Disparities Challenge, Lead of the NIHR Global Health Research Group on Violence Against Women and Children (operating across 12 countries), and Health Inequalities Lead for Birmingham Health Partners. He is also a scientific advisor to the Lancet Commission on Violence Against Women and Children and contributes to the UK Government’s National Youth Strategy.
Joht’s unique career trajectory has been shaped by frontline service. During his medical studies, he served as a Special Constable with the Metropolitan Police and later with West Midlands Police, where he became the first active Special in UK policing to pass the national detective exam and join a Child Abuse Investigation Unit. This rare intersection of clinical and policing experience inspired the focus of his PhD and continues to underpin his interdisciplinary approach to violence prevention and public health.
His work has been cited in UK Parliament, informed national policy, and featured widely across mainstream media, including BBC News, Sky News, and The Guardian.