Professor Yule named one of UK's top 100 scientists
Professor William Yule, Emeritus Professor of Applied Child Psychology at the Institute of Psychiatry, King’s College London has been named one of the UK’s top 100 practising scientists by the Science Council.
Professor Yule was recognised for his leadership in advancing research and services in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in children, particularly those affected in the former Yugoslavia.
His research interests include epidemiological studies, working with families of autistic children, training parents in management techniques, school refusal, fears, fostering and adoption. Since 1987, following the capsize of the Herald of Free Enterprise, much of his time has been devoted to understanding and treating PTSD in children.
In 1993, he became an advisor to UNICEF during the civil war in former Yugoslavia. Following that, he helped to set up the Foundation for Children and War, a charity based in Norway. He was also part of the UK Sri Lanka Trauma Group, a group of British and Sri Lankan mental health professionals working together to find a practical way of helping Sri Lanka respond to war related trauma in the country.
Professor Yule is a Consultant Clinical Psychologist, and Founding Director of Child Traumatic Stress Clinic at the South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust. He is also an Honorary Fellow of the British Psychological Society and a member of the European Federation of Psychology Associations'standing committee on trauma.
The list has been drawn up to counter what the Council calls the “collective blind spot” in the media, government and public approach. As well as highlighting the historic contribution that individuals have made to UK science, the list includes individuals who are working in roles that are often overlooked when we think of scientists, including teachers, regulators and service providers.
It was designed to recognise individual scientists who illustrate a commitment to the practice of science with integrity, who exercise professional skill and judgement in their work and who contribute to their profession and the future of their subject through their leadership.
To identify its list of 100, the Science Council organised a competition around ten different types of scientist role. The list has ten different examples of each of the ten types and gives a broad picture of the many different ways people work with science, making valuable contributions across British society and the economy. The final selection was made by a panel of distinguished scientists appointed by the council.
David Willetts, Minister for Universities and Science said: "This list helpfully challenges the perception that there is only one kind of scientist and highlights the different types of skills and challenges a career in science involves. If we want more people to enter a career in science we need to show that the scientific community is not some exclusive club but people with a wide variety of vocations and interests who have rewarding careers and are making a significant contribution to the wealth and well-being of the UK."
For more information, please contact Seil Collins, Press Officer, Institute of Psychiatry, King’s College London. Tel: 0207 848 5377 email: seil.collins@kcl.ac.uk