Dr Adam Williams

(he/him)

AFHEA PhD (Medicine) MSc (Health Psychology) BSc (Psychology)

Publication

• Date
• Type

Research

Overview

My research sits at the intersection of psychology, public health, and infectious disease. I began my PhD in Medicine in 2019, focusing on HIV prevention and behaviour change. I am particularly committed to contributing to efforts to end HIV transmission, and my work is driven by a desire to improve health equity and reduce stigma.

Research Interests

• HIV prevention and behavioural science
• Infectious disease transmission and public health interventions
• Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in sexually transmitted infections
• Health behaviours and stigma
• Mixed methods research and methodological triangulation

Current Projects

• Texting for Testing (Co-applicant): Investigating the effectiveness of SMS messages from general practice to increase uptake of online postal STI testing. This project is funded by Health and Care Research Wales and aims to improve testing rates. 

• Positive Futures: HIV, Ageing, Futures and Care (CI): A study exploring the housing and social care needs of people ageing with HIV in Wales. This project addresses gaps in service provision and aims to inform future policy and support frameworks.

Funding Successes

I have secured over £3.6 million in awarded funding to date (Oct2025), including:

• Positive Futures study (Health and Care Research Wales)
• Catalytic Funding for the Wales Applied Virology Unit (Health and Care Research Wales)
• Texting for Testing study (Health and Care Research Wales)
• Knowledge Exchange Placement (UKRI MRC)
• HIV Peer Support Project (Public Health Wales)

Collaborations

I work closely with:

• Public Health Wales
• NHS consultants and nurses
• Fast Track Cymru
• Welsh Government officials
• Industry partners 
• Academics across Cardiff Unviersity and others Higher Education institutions

Teaching

Teaching and Educational Roles

• Intercalated Population Medicine: I develop and deliver teaching on sexual health and research methods as part of the Intercalated Population Medicine programme. This includes designing learning materials and facilitating sessions that explore public health approaches to sexual wellbeing and behavioural science.
• Student Selected Component (Cardiff University Medical School): I teach and supervise students undertaking the SSC, supporting them in developing independent research and critical thinking skills within the context of public health and behavioural science.
• NVivo Research Training (GW4): I developed learning materials to support the use of NVivo for qualitative research purposes, as part of a collaborative initiative across the GW4 Alliance. This included creating resources and workshops tailored to researchers at various stages of their careers.
• Cardiff Step-Up Programme: I lead the development and delivery of a 6-week health and wellbeing course aimed at college students from socioeconomically deprived areas. The course introduces students to key concepts in public health, health promotion, and wellbeing, with an emphasis on accessibility and engagement.

Supervision and Advisory Roles

• Supervisor for MSc Public Health students at Cardiff University, offering mentorship and academic support for dissertation and research projects.
• Lecturer and Supervisor for Cardiff University Medical School’s Student Selected Component, guiding students through independent research and project development.
• Placement Supervisor for MSc Health Psychology students at the University of Bath, supporting applied learning and research development.
• Content Advisor for MSc Psychology and Neuroscience students at King’s College London, providing guidance on sexual health and behavioural science topics.

Outreach and Workshop Facilitation

• Cardiff Sexpression (2020–2022): As a training coordinator, I supported the development of peer-led sexual health education workshops. I also delivered sessions in schools and community settings, focusing on inclusive and evidence-based approaches to sexual health.
• Just Like Us (2019–2021): I facilitated diversity and inclusion workshops in schools across the UK, promoting understanding and acceptance of LGBTQ+ identities among young people.

Biography

I am a multi-award-winning researcher specialising in sexual health, study management, and public health innovation. I currently serve as Lecturer in Infectious Disease Behavioural Science at the Wales Applied Virology Unit (WAVU), a £3 million initiative funded by Health and Care Research Wales and as a Research Associate at Cardiff University’s Centre for Trials Research.

Since completing my PhD in Medicine at Cardiff University in 2022, I have led and supported research projects that influence national policy and service delivery. These include the development of Wales’ National STI postal testing service, the Wales HIV Action Plan, and multiple studies focused on HIV/STI treatment and prevention.

I have worked on research projects in complex settings, including health and social care environments, and within the prison and probation services, attempting to apply trial methodologies to real-world settings.

I have secured over £3.6 million in research funding, published widely in peer-reviewed journals, and presented at international conferences including AIDS 2022, Fast Track Cities, and the STI & HIV World Congress. My work spans academia, government, and health sectors, with a strong emphasis on collaborative, community-informed research.

Leadership and Editorial Roles

• Editorial Fellow, Sexually Transmitted Infections (BMJ)
• Chair, Fast Track Cardiff and Vale
• Steering Committee Member, various advisory panels focused on HIV, sexual health, and public health innovation

My career is driven by a commitment to health equity, inclusive research, and evidence-based service improvement.

Honours and awards

Professional memberships

Academic positions

Speaking engagements

Committees and reviewing