James’s research focuses on improving the design, conduct and analysis of studies involving clustered data, particularly cluster randomised trials and other trial designs that include multiple time periods. His work addresses key methodological challenges in these studies, including correlated outcomes, varying cluster sizes, and optimal approaches to randomisation, monitoring and analysis. This research builds on his PhD in biostatistics, which examined methodological issues in stepped-wedge cluster randomised trials, and has developed into a broader programme of work aimed at strengthening the design and evaluation of large-scale clinical and public health trials.
James collaborates widely with clinical researchers, public health scientists and international partners to apply these methods in practice. He was the lead trial statistician for the Gates Foundation-funded E-MOTIVE trial, a large multi-country cluster randomised trial involving more than 200,000 women across four African countries evaluating a bundle of interventions to improve the detection and treatment of postpartum haemorrhage. The trial informed international clinical guidelines and resulted in high-impact publications in the New England Journal of Medicine and Nature Medicine. He continues to contribute to a programme of follow-up studies evaluating postpartum haemorrhage diagnosis and care in global health settings.
James previously served as a senior statistician on the MRC-funded APT-Sepsis programme, an international study evaluating interventions to improve the prevention and treatment of maternal sepsis, which was recently published in the New England Journal of Medicine. He is also a senior statistician on a Gates Foundation-funded trial led by the World Health Organisation evaluating the impact of antenatal corticosteroids on preterm mortality, and contributes statistical leadership to several other global health cluster trials conducted across Africa and Asia.
Beyond maternal health, James has contributed statistical expertise to a wide range of clinical and public health studies, including trials in paediatrics, infectious disease, school-based health interventions and chronic disease. His work has involved collaborations with organisations such as the World Health Organisation and research programmes funded by the Gates Foundation, the Medical Research Council and the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR).
James also contributes to the development of the wider research community. He is the statistical lead for the NIHR Research Support Service Birmingham Hub, where he provides methodological advice on grant applications and fellowships across clinical, public health and global health research. Within CMH, James is part of the Fellowship Academy, supporting colleagues in developing and submitting personal awards.