University of Leeds
The University of Leeds is a prestigious institution renowned for its commitment to research and innovation. The University is part of the Russell Group of research-intensive universities and is ranked in the top 100 Universities in the world (QS World University Rankings 2025).The Leeds Institute of Health Sciences (LIHS), part of the University's School of Medicine, is a leading academic unit dedicated to improving health and social care through applied health research and education.
The Academic Unit for Health Economics (AUHE) within LIHS specializes in health economic analyses, utilizing economic and econometric methods to address cost-effectiveness, efficiency, and inequalities in healthcare provision. They have extensive experience and expertise in the delivery of high-impact health-economic studies, including utilizing decision analytic modelling techniques to simulate long-term cost and health benefit outcomes. LIHS and the AUHE have a strong track record in pioneering cancer studies and clinical trials, contributing significantly to advancements in cancer treatment and patient outcomes. With a focus on patient and public engagement, LIHS strives to change lives by advancing medical research and improving patient outcomes.
Role
Dr Alison Smith at the University of Leeds will lead on the delivery of health economics and health technology assessment work-packages within the Path-for-young project.
Members
Dr Alison Smith
Alison is a senior health economist based at the Academic Unit of Health Economics (AUHE) at the University of Leeds, with over 10 years of experience in conducting health technology assessments (HTA) across a range of disease areas. Her research specialises in the economic evaluation of medical tests and devices, in particular using advanced modelling techniques to simulate the impact of novel technologies on health care systems.
Alison is the lead for the Test Evaluation Group within the AUHE, she sits as a health economist on the Leeds HealthTech Research Centre (HRC), and she is a founding member and organiser of the UK annual Methods for the Economic Evaluation of Diagnostics (MEED) Research Forum. Alison is leading the health economic evaluation for the OPTIMA study in the UK (Optimal Personalised Treatment of early breast cancer using Multi-parameter Analysis), funded by the National Institute of Health Research (NIHR).