Daisy Fancourt Keynote Speaker

Clarivate Highly Cited Researcher (2023–24)
Director, WHO Collaborating Centre for Arts & Health
Author, Art Cure: The Science of How the Arts Can Save Your Life (2025)

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Daisy Fancourt's Biography

Professor Daisy Fancourt is an internationally recognised authority on how social connection, culture and community shape human health. As Professor of Psychobiology & Epidemiology at University College London and Head of the Social Biobehavioural Research Group, she integrates epidemiology, neuroscience and policy to translate evidence into action.

Backed by more than £30 million in competitive grants, Fancourt has produced over 300 peer-reviewed papers and delivered 50+ keynotes worldwide. Her scholarship has earned over two dozen honours, including the British Science Association Award for Arts & Sciences and recognition as a World Economic Forum Global Shaper. Clarivate lists her among the most highly cited scientists globally.

In 2019 she authored the World Health Organization’s landmark global evidence review on arts in health—now the organisation’s most-read report—and today directs the WHO Collaborating Centre for Arts & Health, chairs the WHO Jameel Arts Health Lab at NYU and advises governments through multiple WHO expert groups.

During the pandemic she led the award-winning UK COVID-19 Social Study and co-ordinated the international COVID-Minds network, informing policies on lockdowns, vaccination and mental health. She also served on the Lancet COVID-19 Commission.

A trusted public communicator, Fancourt’s research has featured in 2,000+ news stories, 100 broadcast programmes and viral BBC films; she writes for outlets such as The Guardian, BMJ Opinion and The Conversation. On stage she combines rigorous data with compelling storytelling, equipping audiences to harness creativity, social prescribing and community assets for better health and resilience.

The arts: the forgotten fifth pillar of our health

A whistle-stop tour of how the arts affect our mind, brain, body and behaviour from cutting-edge scientific studies and a consideration of how we could be using the arts more within our own health and within society.

Arts for flourishing

An in-depth look at how the arts affect our mental health, exploring the neurotransmitters, proteins and cognitive pathways affected by music, visual arts, dance, theatre and literature and the impact engagement has in preventing and treating mental illness.

The social value of the arts

An exploration on what value the arts bring to our societies and how we can quantify this benefit economically to make the case for investment.

Harnessing creativity within healthcare

An overview of some of the most ground-breaking arts programmes being delivered within healthcare systems all around the world, from magic camps for children with cerebral palsy to dance programmes for Parkinson’s patients to music programmes in surgery and arts villages for people with dementia.

Social prescribing: the future of medicine

An overview of this ground-breaking new service that is now operating in 40 countries globally, referring patients to arts, nature, social and volunteering programmes to reduce demand on health systems.