Research Associate

Population Health Interventions

Current work and interests

Dolly Theis’ research examines government policy processes and evidence use in England, particularly how policy entrepreneurs and policymakers influence policy processes to achieve policy change and how they understand, engage with and use public health and epidemiological research in the process.

Background and experience

Dolly recently completed a PhD at the Unit under the supervision of Professor Martin White and Dr Dennis Grube. Prior to joining the Unit, she completed an MPhil in Public Health and Epidemiology at the University of Cambridge, and previously worked as a policy researcher at the Centre for Social Justice think tank specialising in the link between childhood obesity and social deprivation.

Publications and posters

• MRC Epidemiology Unit publications on Publications Database

Selected publications

• Is Obesity Policy in England Fit for Purpose? Analysis of Government Strategies and Policies, 1992–2020. Dolly R. Z. Theis, Martin White. The Milbank Quarterly 2021 https://doi.org/10.1111/1468-0009.12498
• Differences in energy and nutritional content of menu items served by popular UK chain restaurants with versus without voluntary menu labelling: A cross-sectional study. Dolly R. Z. Theis, Jean Adams. PLOS One 2019 https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0222773
• Conference poster: What influenced the UK Government’s Childhood Obesity Plans (jpg)