Daniel Leightley, BSc, MSc, PhD, FHEA | Lecturer in Digital Health Sciences | Researcher | British Army Reservist
Institution: King's College London
Research group: UK Military Research Group
Alma mater: Manchester Metropolitan University
Doctoral thesis: 3D Human Action Recognition and Motion Analysis using Selective Representations (2015)
Research interests: Digital health, artificial intelligence, military and veteran health, digital therapeutics, mental health, population health and data science.
Biography
Dr Daniel Leightley is a British researcher and Lecturer in Digital Health Sciences in the Department of Primary Care & Data Science at King's College London. He is also a serving British Army Reservist and leads the UK Military Research Group.
His research sits at the intersection of digital health, AI, mental health and military medicine. He is particularly interested in understanding how military service affects physical and mental health, and how technology can be developed and evaluated to improve health outcomes among serving personnel, veterans and their families.
Drawing on a background in computer science and applied health research, Leightley combines large-scale datasets, mobile applications, wearable technology, machine learning and behavioural science to address practical health challenges. A central theme of his work is translating academic research into accessible, evidence-based tools that can be used outside traditional research settings.
Education and early career
Leightley studied Computer Science at Manchester Metropolitan University, where he developed an interest in AI, computer vision and the application of technology to healthcare.
He completed his PhD in 2015 with a thesis entitled 3D Human Action Recognition and Motion Analysis using Selective Representations. His doctoral research investigated techniques for recognising, analysing and quantifying human movement using motion capture technologies and machine learning.
The research explored how relatively inexpensive sensing equipment could be used to identify changes in movement, assess physical function and support clinical decision-making. This early work established an interest in developing practical technologies that could help researchers and healthcare professionals better understand human health and behaviour.
Following his doctorate, Leightley joined the King's Centre for Military Health Research (KCMHR) at King's College London in 2015 as a Postdoctoral Research Associate. His work expanded from computer vision and physical rehabilitation into military mental health, population health and digital interventions.
He subsequently progressed to Research Fellow in 2020 before being appointed Lecturer in Digital Health Sciences in December 2023.
Research and academic career
Leightley's research focuses on developing, implementing and evaluating digital technologies to support better physical and mental health. Much of his work has centred on the Armed Forces community, although his research also extends to wider public health challenges.
Throughout his career at King's College London, he has contributed to multidisciplinary studies involving military mental health, alcohol use, remote health monitoring, digital behaviour change and large-scale health data analysis.
His research has included contributions to RADAR-CNS, a major international programme investigating the use of remote measurement technologies to better understand conditions including depression. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he also contributed to research and testing initiatives at King's College London.
In his current academic role, Leightley leads and collaborates on research examining how digital technologies and data-driven approaches can support prevention, early intervention, personalised care and health service delivery.
His methodological interests include machine learning, generative AI, longitudinal research, data linkage, mobile sensing and the responsible use of health data. He is particularly interested in ensuring that new technologies are scientifically robust, clinically relevant, secure and accessible to the populations they are intended to support.
His research has been supported by organisations including the Forces in Mind Trust, the National Institute for Health and Care Research, the Medical Research Council, the US Department of Defence and the UK Cabinet Office.
Digital health innovation and research platforms
A significant part of Leightley's work involves developing digital tools that translate research findings into practical applications.
One of his principal projects is DrinksRation, a smartphone-based digital intervention developed to help serving and former Armed Forces personnel understand and manage their alcohol consumption. The app combines self-monitoring, goal setting, behavioural feedback and personalised support. It has been developed and evaluated through a programme of research involving the Armed Forces community.
Leightley also developed ForcesAtlas, a research discovery platform designed to make published evidence about the Armed Forces, veterans and their families easier to find and use. ForcesAtlas combines generative AI with human review to identify, organise and make relevant literature accessible to researchers, healthcare professionals, charities and policymakers.
Alongside these projects, he has contributed to the development of digital data collection and monitoring frameworks, including MAVERICK and SyncRation, with applications in health research and remote monitoring.
Across these initiatives, his approach emphasises responsible innovation, research transparency, data security and the importance of evaluating technologies before their wider adoption.
Teaching and academic supervision
Alongside his research, Leightley contributes to postgraduate education at King's College London, supporting the development of students working across digital health, public health and health data science.
His teaching includes principles of health informatics and the ethics, privacy and governance of digital health technologies. He also contributes to postgraduate dissertation teaching and supervision, supporting students in developing research questions, selecting appropriate methodologies and critically evaluating evidence.
He is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA), recognising his commitment to teaching and learning in higher education.
Leightley also supervises and mentors early career researchers and doctoral researchers, with an emphasis on developing independent research skills, methodological rigour and the practical application of research findings.
Military service and defence research
In addition to his academic career, Leightley serves in the British Army Reserve, currently within the Royal Signals. His military experience complements his academic interests in Defence health, occupational wellbeing and the long-term consequences of military service.
As Group Lead for the UK Military Research Group, he supports multidisciplinary research addressing the health and wellbeing of serving personnel, veterans and military families.
The group's work brings together expertise in epidemiology, mental health, digital technologies and population health to examine issues affecting the Armed Forces community. Its activities include research collaboration, evidence synthesis, public engagement and contributions to discussions on Defence and veterans' policy.
A continuing priority of Leightley's research is improving the evidence available to those responsible for supporting military populations, particularly through the development of technologies and research resources that can be used in practice.
Public engagement, policy and leadership
Leightley has contributed to national and international discussions on digital health, military medicine, artificial intelligence and research policy.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, he was a participant in the Independent Scientific Pandemic Insights Group on Behaviours (SPI-B), which provided behavioural science advice to the UK Government's Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE).
He has also contributed to NATO research activities, including work examining personalised medicine, and has provided evidence to the UK Parliament on matters relating to Armed Forces mental health.
His public engagement includes involvement in the Veterans' Mental Health Conference, as well as presentations, workshops and discussions involving academic researchers, military organisations, government representatives, charities and technology providers.
He has spoken on the opportunities and limitations of wearable technology and artificial intelligence in healthcare and Defence, including the importance of appropriate governance, ethical oversight and robust evaluation.
Through his research, public speaking and online writing, Leightley seeks to make scientific evidence more accessible to those who develop policy, deliver services or directly benefit from research.
Awards and recognition
Leightley's academic and professional contributions have been recognised through institutional awards, professional recognition and research support.
- 2024: Nominated for a Doctoral Support Excellence Award.
- 2021: One Team Award, King's College London, recognising teamwork and collaboration.
- 2021: Service to King's Award, recognising contributions to the university community.
- 2020: Mind and Body Champion, King's Health Partners, for contributions during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- 2019: Travel grant, University of Southern California, supporting international research dissemination.
- 2014: NVIDIA hardware award, supporting research involving graphics processing and machine learning.
He is also a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and has contributed to securing research funding for multidisciplinary health research.
Current research direction
Leightley's longer-term research ambition is to improve how health challenges are understood, monitored and addressed through the responsible use of digital technologies and data.
A particular priority is supporting the health and wellbeing of the Armed Forces community, where the effects of military service can extend across physical health, mental health, employment, family life and the transition into civilian society.
His work seeks to bring together rigorous population health research, advances in artificial intelligence and practical digital interventions to produce evidence and technologies that can support meaningful improvements in health and care.
Underlying this approach is a commitment to ensuring that digital innovation is guided by evidence, shaped by the needs of its intended users and capable of making a measurable difference beyond academia.
Further information
Explore Daniel Leightley's publications, digital applications, research tools and teaching.
For research collaboration, speaking engagements or consultancy enquiries, please visit the contact page.