In this episode of Enterprise Sessions from the University of Bristol, Professor Michele Barbour speaks with Dr Miles‑Jay Linton, Senior Lecturer in the School of Education, whose career has woven economics, health research, digital innovation and co‑production into a distinctive, socially impactful research portfolio.

Miles‑Jay reflects on his journey from an interdisciplinary PhD at the University of Exeter to applied healthcare work in Bristol Medical School, a prestigious Vice‑Chancellor’s Fellowship, and now pioneering work on the intersection of youth mental health and digital life. Along the way, he has collaborated with clinicians, policymakers, university leaders, young people, and—unusually for his field—a commercial mental health app developer.

From shaping national guidance on information‑sharing in student mental health crises, to co‑creating digital toolkits with practitioners, to supporting developers integrating AI into peer‑support platforms, this episode explores how enterprise and social impact can coexist powerfully in research that is compassionate, rigorous, and deeply collaborative.

🔍 In the episode:

Moving from economics into applied health research
The value of not specialising too early
Working with patients, clinicians and the public on locally‑rooted healthcare projects
Measuring student mental health: tools, policies and global collaboration
Co‑production as a core research practice—why it matters
Informing national policy on emergency contacts and circles of support
Collaborating with a commercial mental health app (Tell Me) to support young adults
Ethical, practical and emotional considerations for researchers working in sensitive areas
Digital Dialogues: improving practitioner conversations about online life and wellbeing
Scaling training for mental health professionals—and the policy questions that follow
The future of digital mental health and Miles‑Jay’s emerging entrepreneurial mindset

🌐 About the Enterprise Sessions

The Enterprise Sessions bring together a diverse mix of company founders and researchers who talk openly about their personal experiences of forming spinouts and start-ups, raising capital, academic-industry partnerships and the joys of translating research discoveries into real-world impact. The series aims to inform, inspire and challenge myths and stereotypes about research commercialisation and how businesses and universities can work together to tackle society’s biggest challenges.

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Prof. Michele Barbour – LinkedIn

Improving Youth Mental Health | The Enterprise Sessions with Dr Myles-Jay Linton

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