From the start of my career as a medical academic, I have always been fascinated by how health is influenced by our bodies, our minds and the societies we live in. I have also found that some of the best collaborations I have had have been beyond the field of medicine – with social scientists, historians, anthropologists, lawyers, statisticians – you name it, I have worked with them. So joining the Council of ESRC, committed to using all the social sciences for the benefit of health and wellbeing, is something close to a dream.
Professor Sir Simon Wessely from the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience
05 February 2020
King's College London Regius Professor of Psychiatry appointed to ESRC Council
The Board of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) has appointed Professor Sir Simon Wessely as a member to the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC).
Professor Sir Simon Wessely, Regius Professor of Psychiatry at King’s College London, joins two other new members of the ESCRC’s Council which comprises representatives from the academic community as well as individuals from business and the public sector.
Members of the council work with Executive Chair Professor Jennifer Rubin to shape the ESRC’s strategy and to support UKRI's overall mission to maintain the UK’s world-leading position in research and innovation. ESRC Council members also provide Professor Rubin, and UKRI more widely, with input, intelligence and feedback from their communities and stakeholder groups
The other two new members are Dr Lasana Harris, University College London, and Professor Sir Bernard Silverman, University of Nottingham.
Professor Jennifer Rubin welcomed the appointments saying: ‘I’m delighted to welcome these esteemed members to the ESRC Council. Lasana, Simon and Bernard will bring valuable expertise and insights to the Council; and together with our existing members will help ensure the social sciences’ contribution to the UK research and innovation landscape, and to addressing the major issues such as climate change, ageing populations, lagging productivity, and the spread of new technologies.’