Commonground
Senior Moderator
26 March 2026
The UCL Centre for Digital Public Health in Emergencies (dPHE) has been designated a World Health Organisation (WHO) Collaborating Centre for Digital Public Health and Pandemic Preparedness.
Led by Professor Patty Kostkova (UCL Risk & Disaster Reduction), it is the first WHO collaborating centre dedicated to pandemics in the world.
WHO collaborating centres are recognised as world-leading institutions of excellence in their field. Other WHO collaborating centres at UCL are focused on tuberculosis research and innovation, arts and health, and assistive technology.
The centre was launched last night with an event and panel discussion involving senior officials from the WHO, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), and the UK’s Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA).
Professor Kostkova said: “I am thrilled by the WHO designation – this is a major milestone for the UCL Centre for Digital Public Health in Emergencies (dPHE) and a recognition of our research achievements and world leadership in digital public health and pandemics preparedness.
“I am very excited to join forces with WHO to scale up innovative digital approaches to improve pandemic preparedness and response, to tackle antimicrobial resistance, to fight misinformation through citizens’ engagement, and to support a climate resilient One Health approach that recognises the interconnected health of humans, animals, and ecosystems.
“Together with WHO, we will champion sovereignty of digital technology, AI and health data, and strengthen preparedness for future health emergencies in the UK, European region and beyond.”
Dr Ihor Perehinets, Health Security and Regional Emergency Director, WHO Regional Office for Europe, said: "This new Collaborating Centre strengthens our ability, across the WHO European region, to prevent, promptly detect and respond to health emergencies by using digital public health tools more effectively and responsibly - from stronger surveillance and early warning, to better analytics for decision-making, to ethical use of AI that support public health action.
“It deepens collaboration on how digital tools and data can support pandemic preparedness and response, One Health surveillance and climate-sensitive risks, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) control, and trusted communication during health emergencies - priorities central to health security across the WHO European Region."
Professor Sam Janes, Dean of the Faculty of Population Health Sciences, said: “The recognition of dPHE as a WHO Collaborating Centre marks an important moment for UCL and reflects the depth of expertise developed within the Centre for Digital Public Health in Emergencies. The pandemic demonstrated how quickly health systems can be placed under strain, and how much depends on reliable digital tools, sound data stewardship, and the capacity to act on evidence with clarity and speed. The centre’s work has already strengthened understanding of how digital innovation can support preparedness and maintain public confidence during periods of uncertainty.
“This collaboration with WHO enables UCL to advance research on digital surveillance, emerging sensing technologies, and responsible applications of AI, while helping protect the integrity and sovereignty of health data across the European region. I am pleased that our researchers will contribute to approaches that allow countries to anticipate risks more effectively and respond with greater confidence.”
continued: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/news/2026/mar...isation-digital-tools-and-health-emergencies
The UCL Centre for Digital Public Health in Emergencies (dPHE) has been designated a World Health Organisation (WHO) Collaborating Centre for Digital Public Health and Pandemic Preparedness.
Led by Professor Patty Kostkova (UCL Risk & Disaster Reduction), it is the first WHO collaborating centre dedicated to pandemics in the world.
WHO collaborating centres are recognised as world-leading institutions of excellence in their field. Other WHO collaborating centres at UCL are focused on tuberculosis research and innovation, arts and health, and assistive technology.
The centre was launched last night with an event and panel discussion involving senior officials from the WHO, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), and the UK’s Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA).
Professor Kostkova said: “I am thrilled by the WHO designation – this is a major milestone for the UCL Centre for Digital Public Health in Emergencies (dPHE) and a recognition of our research achievements and world leadership in digital public health and pandemics preparedness.
“I am very excited to join forces with WHO to scale up innovative digital approaches to improve pandemic preparedness and response, to tackle antimicrobial resistance, to fight misinformation through citizens’ engagement, and to support a climate resilient One Health approach that recognises the interconnected health of humans, animals, and ecosystems.
“Together with WHO, we will champion sovereignty of digital technology, AI and health data, and strengthen preparedness for future health emergencies in the UK, European region and beyond.”
Dr Ihor Perehinets, Health Security and Regional Emergency Director, WHO Regional Office for Europe, said: "This new Collaborating Centre strengthens our ability, across the WHO European region, to prevent, promptly detect and respond to health emergencies by using digital public health tools more effectively and responsibly - from stronger surveillance and early warning, to better analytics for decision-making, to ethical use of AI that support public health action.
“It deepens collaboration on how digital tools and data can support pandemic preparedness and response, One Health surveillance and climate-sensitive risks, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) control, and trusted communication during health emergencies - priorities central to health security across the WHO European Region."
Professor Sam Janes, Dean of the Faculty of Population Health Sciences, said: “The recognition of dPHE as a WHO Collaborating Centre marks an important moment for UCL and reflects the depth of expertise developed within the Centre for Digital Public Health in Emergencies. The pandemic demonstrated how quickly health systems can be placed under strain, and how much depends on reliable digital tools, sound data stewardship, and the capacity to act on evidence with clarity and speed. The centre’s work has already strengthened understanding of how digital innovation can support preparedness and maintain public confidence during periods of uncertainty.
“This collaboration with WHO enables UCL to advance research on digital surveillance, emerging sensing technologies, and responsible applications of AI, while helping protect the integrity and sovereignty of health data across the European region. I am pleased that our researchers will contribute to approaches that allow countries to anticipate risks more effectively and respond with greater confidence.”
continued: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/news/2026/mar...isation-digital-tools-and-health-emergencies