Prof Andrea Wigfield

Experts / Prof Andrea Wigfield

Prof Andrea Wigfield

Professor Applied Social and Policy Research; Director, Centre for Loneliness Studies, Sheffield Hallam University

Andrea is a leading researcher on loneliness and social isolation, specialising in the wider social determinants and implications through research, programme evaluation, and evidence based policy and practice. The key principles which guide her work are academic rigor and evidence based research which is policy driven and leads to impact and change. Many aspects of her research focus on co-production involving all key partners in the research process, including ‘experts by experience’. As Director of the Policy Evaluation Group (2002-11), Deputy and then Co-Director of CIRCLE (20112016,) Director of Care-Connect (2014-2017) and currently Director of Centre for Loneliness Studies (2017+) she has spearheaded interdisciplinary research collaboration and established strong networks in both academia and with external stakeholders in the public, private and voluntary sectors. Andrea has been awarded research funding of almost £3 million and has published over 50 books, chapters, articles, and reports, and worked on approximately 90 externally funded research projects.

Is loneliness really as damaging to your health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day?

Vivek Murthy, the US surgeon general, recently warned that “being socially disconnected” has a similar effect on mortality as smoking

Is loneliness really as damaging to your health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day?

Vivek Murthy, the US surgeon general, recently warned that “being socially disconnected” has a similar effect on mortality as smoking

By Prof Andrea Wigfield, Jan Gurung, Laura Makey