Helen is a Professor of Human and Ecological Health working across UCL Biosciences and UCL Arts and Sciences. After completing a BSc in Natural Environmental Science and an MSc in Palaeoanthropology at the University of Sheffield, Helen moved to UCL in 1996 to undertake a PhD and took up the role of Curator at the Grant Museum of Zoology. Helen stayed at the Grant Museum for 10 years and continues to remain actively involved with museums.

As well as her research, Helen is involved in teaching, supervising doctoral students and helping to deliver institutional strategic initiatives focused on teaching and research. She sits on the UCL Health of the Public Delivery Group and co-leads their 'Creative Health Community'.

Helen co-founded the Culture, Health and Wellbeing Alliance, is an Advisor to the All Party Parliamentary Group on Arts, Health and Wellbeing, and is a Founding Trustee of the National Centre for Creative Health.

Helen's research has won numerous awards including a Special Commendation from Public Health England for Sustainable Development and the 2018 AHRC-Wellcome Health Humanities Medal and Leadership Award. In 2015, Helen was awarded an MBE for services to Higher Education and Culture.

Helen is currently undertaking a Fellowship with UKRI where she is the AHRC Research Programme Director for Health Inequalities.