Atif Rahman is Professor of Child Psychiatry at the University of Liverpool, where he leads the Global Mental Health Research Group. A pioneer in global mental health, his research focuses on developing and rigorously testing culturally relevant psychosocial interventions across the life course. Designed to be delivered not only by specialists but also by non-specialist health workers, teachers, and parents, these interventions are scalable, sustainable, and accessible to diverse communities worldwide.
Professor Rahman has played a leading role in advancing mental health care in low- and middle-income countries, with a strong emphasis on bridging the treatment gap through innovation and capacity building. He works closely with the World Health Organization to evaluate, adapt, and disseminate psychological interventions, shaping global policy and practice.
With more than 300 publications - including influential papers in The Lancet, Nature, and JAMA - he is recognized internationally as a thought leader in the field. He is a Fellow of the Royal College of Psychiatrists and co-founder of the Human Development Research Foundation in Pakistan, a non-profit dedicated to research and implementation in resource-limited settings.
Through his groundbreaking research, international collaborations, and advocacy, Professor Rahman has transformed access to mental health care for some of the world’s most vulnerable populations.
