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Professor Ann John is a clinical epidemiologist and expert in public health and psychiatry, serving as Professor of Public Health and Psychiatry at Swansea University and Consultant in Public Health at Public Health Wales NHS Trust. She specializes in suicide and self-harm prevention, youth mental health, and public health policy, ensuring that evidence-based strategies shape mental health interventions.

Prof. John is Co-Director of the Cochrane satellite for suicide and self-harm prevention and Chair of the National Advisory Group on Suicide and Self-Harm Prevention for the Welsh Government. Her work integrates population data science with mental health research, refining preventive strategies for vulnerable populations. She leads DATAMIND, the MRC-funded HDRUK Mental Health Data Hub, contributing to global discussions on mental health informatics.

She has played a pivotal role in developing government and NHS-commissioned reports, policy documents, and community resources related to suicide and self-harm prevention. Her research explores bio-psycho-social determinants of mental health, ensuring that public health policies address systemic inequalities.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Prof. John was a member of SAGE (Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies) and co-chaired SPI-B (Independent Scientific Pandemic Insights Group on Behaviours), shaping public health responses to mental health challenges. She has advised on media storylines, including Coronation Street and This is Going to Hurt, ensuring that mental health narratives are accurately portrayed.

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