Dr Amrit Kaur Purba is an interdisciplinary social scientist and public health practitioner whose work focuses on improving outcomes for children and young people in an increasingly digital world. Her research examines how online environments and social media causally influence adolescent health, wellbeing, and digital inequalities, with a particular focus on protecting those most at risk.
Based at the University of Cambridge, Dr Purba leads internationally recognised research on the digital determinants of health and is the recipient of a prestigious Wellcome Trust Fellowship. Through this work, she is advancing ethical and innovative approaches - including the use of generative AI - to analyse donated social media data and generate causal evidence to inform safer, more inclusive digital environments for young people. She is deeply committed to public engagement and was the winner of the University of Cambridge “Talk Like TED” Award, recognising excellence in communicating research impact to public audiences.
Alongside her academic work, Dr Purba has a strong record of youth-centred and community-engaged research. She works closely with young people through advisory groups and participatory approaches to ensure their voices shape policy and practice. Her work has informed educators, health organisations, and governments, and she advises bodies including the United Nations, 10 Downing Street, and Ofcom. Her research has appeared in the British Medical Journal, and her commentary and work have been featured in outlets including the BBC, The Times, and The Scotsman. She has received multiple awards, including the University of Glasgow World Changer Award, recognising her contribution to improving children’s lives in the UK and beyond.