Dr. Seena Fazel

Biography

Seena Fazel is a Professor of Forensic Psychiatry at the University of Oxford and the Director of the Centre for Suicide Research and Co-lead of the Data Science theme at the Oxford Health Biomedical Research Centre. With a focus on the relationship between mental illness and adverse outcomes, Fazel's research investigates the risk assessment of suicide and violence in individuals with mental illness. His work has clarified the contributions of major neuropsychiatric conditions to violent crime using population-based datasets and family-based designs. Fazel has authored numerous studies that have challenged established beliefs in the field, highlighting neglected areas of risk and identifying modifiable risk factors. Additionally, his research has informed national clinical guidelines and contributed to significant policy developments in the UK, particularly concerning prison health and the mental health of high-risk populations. He has also shed light on the prevalence of mental disorders and suicidality among prisoners, emphasizing the need for effective prevention strategies in these vulnerable groups. Fazel is a member of the UK's Independent Advisory Panel on Deaths in Custody and has collaborated with various prestigious institutions across Europe on research pertaining to psychiatric disorders and criminal justice outcomes.

Research Interests