My name is Zoé Colombet, and I am a Lecturer in Epidemiology and Public Health at the University of Liverpool in the UK. I model the effects of food policies on diet, health, and inequalities to inform equitable public health strategies.
I specialise in nutritional epidemiology, focusing on how diet quality and food consumption patterns evolve, what drives these changes (especially social determinants), and how implementing food-related policies can influence population health and health inequalities. I use modelling methods to estimate the likely impacts of dietary policy on noncommunicable diseases, including obesity, and inequalities.
What does a typical workday look like for you?
No two days are the same, which is exactly what I enjoy about my job. Some days I’m deep in research, whether that’s modelling or working on more traditional epidemiological studies. Increasingly, a big part of my role is supervising and supporting students and colleagues who are carrying out the research themselves, which is both challenging and rewarding. I also spend time developing new grant proposals, which means lots of exciting discussions, brainstorming, and exchanging ideas with collaborators. On top of that, teaching is another part of my work: I lecture in epidemiology and public health at undergraduate and postgraduate levels, and I really enjoy helping students link theory to real-world issues. Altogether, the variety keeps my work stimulating and makes each day feel different.
What first sparked your interest in working in the field of obesity?
I have always been fascinated by how our environments and policies shape health. Early in my academic journey, I realised that obesity and diet-related diseases are not simply matters of individual choice but are deeply influenced by social and economic factors. This sparked my interest in understanding these determinants and in evaluating how public health policies can create healthier, fairer food environments. The opportunity to contribute evidence that may reduce health burden and health inequalities is what continues to motivate me.
How has being part of the ECN changed your journey so far?
Being part of the ECN has given me the chance to connect with peers at a similar stage of their careers, which is both motivating and reassuring. The regular eLearning Hub webinars are a really useful way to learn about new topics and perspectives, and the WhatsApp group is a great source of advice, opportunities, and peer support in day-to-day academic life. I’ve also had the opportunity to contribute myself by presenting at the ECN eLearning Hub webinar on ultra-processed foods (UPF), which was a valuable experience to share my work and engage with others in the network.
What has been the most rewarding or exciting project that you’ve worked on?
It’s hard to choose just one, because I tend to find each project exciting in its own way! I’ve really enjoyed contributing to collaborative projects such as the Out-of-Home Food Environment project (https://gtr.ukri.org/projects?ref=ES%2FW007932%2F1), which explores how eating outside the home influences diets and health, and SCHOUSE (https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/population-health/research/groups/schouse/), which seeks to better understand the reasons behind difficulties social housing tenants face in consuming a healthy diet and accessing affordable healthy foods, and what can be done.
At the same time, I’m especially excited about the research I’m building on modelling the nutrition transition and examining how policy can mitigate its impact on health and inequalities. This year I submitted this work as part of an ERC Starting Grant proposal – fingers crossed for a positive outcome.
What’s one piece of advice you’d give to the “you” who was just starting out?
I would say: don’t be afraid to ask questions, seek mentorship, and embrace uncertainty. No work will never be perfect! Academia and research can feel overwhelming at first, but building supportive networks and learning from others makes a huge difference. Also, celebrate small milestones – they add up and keep you moving forward.
What excites you most about the future of obesity research?
What excites me most is the shift toward recognising the complexity of obesity – moving beyond individual responsibility to tackling structural drivers such as food systems, environments, and policies. Advances in data science, modelling, and interdisciplinary research give us powerful tools to evaluate the potential impact of interventions before they’re implemented.
I’m also fascinated by emerging research on diet–epigenetic interactions, which explores how nutrition can influence gene expression and, in turn, health outcomes across the life course. This field holds promise for deepening our understanding of biological mechanisms, but also for identifying critical windows where interventions may have the greatest long-term benefits.
Overall, I’m encouraged by the growing focus on equity, ensuring that solutions don’t just improve average health but actively reduce inequalities.
Where do you see yourself in five years – what’s your dream project or role?
In five years, I hope to lead a research group that integrates epidemiology, policy modelling, nutrition, and social sciences to assess the real-world impact of food policies on population health. My dream project would involve collaborating internationally to model the health, environmental, equity, and cost-of-living effects of dietary interventions, helping policymakers design strategies that are sustainable as well as fair.
What kinds of projects or initiatives would you be most interested in collaborating on with other ECN members?
I’d be especially interested in projects that connect different approaches to tackling diet-related health issues and inequalities. For example, collaborations on modelling and epidemiological studies that explore the impacts of food policies, as well as more qualitative or community-based research that helps us understand the lived experience behind the data. I’d also be excited to work with others on cross-country or cross-disciplinary initiatives, where we can learn from different contexts and strengthen the evidence base for public health policy. Beyond research, I’d love to contribute to projects that support early-career researchers themselves — whether through peer mentoring, joint writing, or exchanging tips and tools that make our work easier and more impactful.
Is there anything else you’d like the ECN to know about you?
I’m always happy to connect, exchange ideas, and collaborate, whether that’s on research or navigating the early stages of an academic career. Outside of work, I really enjoy exploring food cultures, which often inspires my thinking about nutrition and public health. I’m also passionate about culture more broadly, from films to art to travel, and love how these perspectives enrich both life and research. So if you ever want to chat about research, policy, or even just swap recipes and restaurant tips, I’d love to hear from you!
Email: zoe.colombet@liverpool.ac.uk
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zo%C3%A9-colombet-b811671ba
ResearchGate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Zoe-Colombet