Hull York Medical School researcher awarded Smart Data Research UK Fellowship to explore links between online behaviour and mental wellbeing

Dr Lewis Paton, Lecturer in Data Science at Hull York Medical School and the University of York, has been awarded a prestigious Smart Data Research UK (SDR UK) Fellowship to investigate how online video consumption is related to mental health and wellbeing.  

The Fellowship is one of just 15 awarded nationally to support innovative research which uses smart data to address some of the UK’s most pressing challenges. SDR UK, part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), has invested in projects across four themes – productivity and prosperity, health and wellbeing, digital society and sustainability. Each fellowship provides up to £200,000 in funding over a period of 18 months, with all projects due to commence in February 2026. 

Dr Paton’s project, titled ‘STREAM: using smart data to research the digital environment and mental health’, will examine patterns in YouTube viewing behaviour using data voluntarily donated through SDR UK’s Smart Data Donation Service (SDDS). Until now, most studies looking at the link between online habits and mental health have focussed on ‘total screen time’. However, by analysing actual viewing histories alongside mental health data, the research aims to understand what people watch, when and how they watch it. This will then be linked with mental health information provided by the volunteers to explore how these viewing behaviours relate to wellbeing. The research is aiming to strengthen evidence for digital mental health policy and inform responsible platform design and governance. 

Dr Paton said:

‘We live in a digital world, and online platforms play a major role in our everyday lives. We often reduce our digital lives to just ‘screen time’, but that misses the point - it matters what we are watching and why. By using real YouTube data, we can finally understand how specific online experiences affect our mental wellbeing. This will help us suggest better safety rules and smarter designs for online platforms.’

Professor Matt Morgan, Dean of Hull York Medical School said:

‘We are delighted that Dr Paton has been awarded a Fellowship as part of this national programme. Understanding the real impact of the digital world on mental health is one of society’s most pressing questions. His research has the potential to provide answers and by doing so inform evidence-based approaches which enhance wellbeing and safeguard users, particularly young people.’  

Dr Paton’s Fellowship sits within SDR UK’s Health and Wellbeing theme, alongside projects exploring AI-generated vaccine misinformation, proactive healthcare using wearable data, and ageing in place. Together, these initiatives aim to advance understanding of how smart data can support healthier lives and more resilient communities. 

The results of Dr Paton’s study will provide valuable insights for policymakers, healthcare professionals, researchers and digital platforms seeking to promote positive online experiences.  

Find out more about Smart Data Research UK.