The schizophrenia research field has moved forward impressively. The cause of schizophrenia is no longer a mystery… By the end of this decade, I expect that our understanding will have developed sufficiently so that we will have abandoned the stigmatising term schizophrenia in favour of aetiologically based diagnoses and meaningful formulations; and we will have a range of more specific pharmacological and psychosocial interventions tailored to individual need
Professor Sir Robin Murray
06 May 2020
Professor Sir Robin Murray awarded Lifetime Achievement Award from Schizophrenia International Research Society
Professor Sir Robin Murray has been named as the recipient of the Schizophrenia International Research Society (SIRS) Lifetime Achievement Award for 2020. This prestigious award is given to a scientist who has made a significant contribution to the advancement of the field of schizophrenia research.
Sir Robin is Professor of Psychiatric Research at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience at King’s College London. His research explores the causes of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, and looks towards developing better treatments for these disorders. He is best known for his role in establishing the neurodevelopmental hypothesis of schizophrenia, particularly in how environmental risk factors contribute to this disorder.
He is ranked as one of the most influential researchers in psychiatry by Thomson Reuters' Science Watch and 3rd in schizophrenia research. He is also one of only 5 psychiatrists ever elected as Royal Society Fellows. In 2011, he was awarded a Knighthood for services to medicine.
The Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented to Sir Robin at the 2021 Congress of the Schizophrenia International Research Society in Toronto, Canada.
Although this is a lifetime achievement award where you might just look back – [Professor Sir Robin Murray] is looking forward to new research to improve the lives of people with a diagnosis of schizophrenia. He is (and remains) a pioneer and has been responsible for many paradigm shifts in his search for the causes of schizophrenia
Professor Dame Til Wykes, SIRS President and IoPPN Vice Dean (Psychology & Systems Sciences)
The Schizophrenia International Research Society was established in 2005 to bring together and facilitate international scientists in the exchange of the latest advances in biological and psychosocial research in schizophrenia. The society promotes research aimed at identification of the causes of schizophrenia, prevention of the illness whenever possible, and treatment of those people who develop the illness. This includes supporting the highest quality research and advocating for increased research funding and increased opportunities (and reduced barriers) for later research. SIRS is a multidisciplinary society, including researchers who identify themselves as psychologists, psychiatrists, neuroscientists, and neurologists.
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Professor of Psychiatric Research
Head of School of Mental Health & Psychological Sciences