Dr Catherine Dodds is a Senior Lecturer in Public Policy in Bristol's School for Policy Studies and is currently Head of the Centre for Health and Social Care Research. She has extensive qualitative research and policy analysis experience related to HIV, sexual and reproductive health inequalities. She is a founding member of the Bristol HIV Fast Track Cities Steering Group (a collaboration between the Council, clinicians, third sector and academics focussed on eliminating HIV transmission and tackling stigma) and collaborates actively locally, nationally and internationally to help shape and implement England’s HIV Action Plan.

Previously, Catherine led the development of key HIV policy and planning frameworks and a national HIV prevention needs assessment of Africans in England. Catherine is also recognised internationally for her earlier research and policy experience relating to criminal prosecutions for HIV transmission.

Catherine's ongoing commitment as a researcher/activist who is primarily focussed on co-produced research with immediate relevance for community members and policy makers was forged during her many years working with Sigma Research - a mixed methods social research group founded on participatory community-based principles. Her dedication to research co-design and co-production means her work is meaningful and accessible for many policy stakeholders, while giving voice to the needs and insights of people with lived experience, practitioners and decision-makers in the health policy realm.