Flagship NIHR career development award for Liverpool public health researcher

Professor David Taylor-Robinson is one of six research leaders to receive a prestigious NIHR Research Professorship in 2023.

The NIHR Research Professorships scheme funds researchers to promote the effective translation of research. It also aims to strengthen research leadership at the highest academic levels.

This year, six leading researchers will receive five-year awards of up to £2 million. They will be conducting research covering a wide range issues.

This includes:

  • tackling child health inequality
  • interventions to reduce infection
  • using data to inform guidance and to help patients
  • using evidence to support policy decisions

David Taylor-Robinson is Professor of Public Health and Policy and Honorary Consultant in Child Public Health at the University of Liverpool. His research topic is: ‘Tackling child health inequality. An interventional epidemiology platform to inform policy.’

He said: “I am thrilled to have been awarded this research professorship and the funding that comes with it. This is a powerful endorsement of the work we are doing in our Health Inequalities Policy Research Group (HIPR) to address the shocking inequalities in child health that we are witnessing at the moment. Our goal is to bring about lasting change through action on the determinants of health and wellbeing, and the policies that impact them.”

Since 2011, 68 people have been successful gaining the competitive award. This includes NIHR chief executive, Professor Lucy Chappell and NIHR Academy Dean, Professor Waljit Dhillo.

Professor Waljit Dhillo said: “It is an honour to welcome these six outstanding researchers as the latest cohort of NIHR Research Professors. They all have excellent research records and will play a crucial role in improving the health and wealth of the nation through their research.”

Professor Lucy Chappell said: “The NIHR Research Professorship is the flagship award for the NIHR. It funds researchers to translate new discoveries into improved diagnostics and treatments, and improvements in health and care. This year, our Research Professors are working in a breadth of areas that are relevant and topical, including digital health, clinical trials, population health, and social care research. I am delighted to welcome them and look forward to seeing their research progress and the difference it will make to the lives of people and communities across the UK.”