Peter Simpson

Profile

I was born and brought up in Leeds, but left at the age of 18 to study at university in London.  My first degree and masters were both in economics, and I spent most of my working life either lecturing (at various universities) or teaching (at Latymer Upper School in London) in economics. A spell in the 1970s working as an economist in the Department of Community Medicine at University College Hospital Medical School in London led to a life-long interest in epidemiology and public health. On taking early retirement from teaching, I enrolled on a Postgraduate Diploma in Public Health at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, and this has formed a springboard for my current research.  I am a Life Fellow of the Royal Society of Medicine. 

Research interests

My research in the 1970s had been concerned with the economic evaluation of screening for breast cancer. My current research is concerned with the provision of breakfast in UK secondary schools. Many adolescents arrive at school without having eaten breakfast, and this is thought to have detrimental effects on their health, learning, and behaviour.  If they are not eating breakfast at home, perhaps it should be made available at school. My research considers the costs and benefits of such provision. 

Qualifications

• PG Dip in Public Health
• MSc in Economics
• BSc(Econ) in Economics