UCL academic announced as Vice President of the Academy of Medical Sciences

Professor Rosalind Smyth (UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health) has been named as the next Vice President (Clinical) of the Academy of Medical Sciences, vowing to “champion the leaders of the future”.

Professor Smyth will take over the role from Professor Paul Stewart FMedSci, who steps down from the role in December. The Vice President (Clinical) serves a four-year term as one of six Honorary Officers, the Academy’s key decision-making group.

Commenting on her appointment, Professor Smyth CBE FMedSci, said: “I am delighted to have been appointed to the Academy’s Honorary Officers, taking on the position of Vice President (Clinical). Throughout my career I have developed effective partnerships between academia and the NHS, for the benefit of patients, and this role is a fantastic opportunity to drive this area at the Academy.

“I have enjoyed many years of working with the Academy, from chairing a review into the representation of women within the Fellowship, to my involvement with their inspirational mentoring programme. I am eager to continue supporting early career clinical scientists across the UK, to nurture and champion the leaders of the future.

“Paul Stewart FMedSci has served with great distinction, and I am looking forward to working with the Academy’s President, Professor Dame Anne Johnson PMedSci, the other Honorary Officers and the Academy’s superb professional staff.”

Professor Smyth was elected the Academy’s Fellowship in 2006. She is Professor of Child Health at UCL and an academic respiratory paediatrician. From 2012-2022, she was Director of the UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health.

Her new leadership role as Vice President (Clinical) is important for the Academy in overseeing work around building capacity in clinical research across the medical and dental, nursing, midwifery and allied health professional communities.

The Vice President (Clinical) also interacts and engages with the NHS and other partners across the sector and represents the priorities of those working within clinical research.

Professor Smyth will lead the Academy’s efforts to ensure that research is a priority in the NHS and will play a crucial part in the Academy’s ambition to encourage greater multi-disciplinary working across the health research sector.

In her new role, Professor Smyth will be working alongside Professor Dame Anne Johnson (Co-Director of UCL Health of the Public) who was elected as the President of the Academy of Medical Sciences in 2020.

Simon Denegri OBE, Executive Director of the Academy of Medical Sciences, said: “It gives me great pleasure to welcome Professor Rosalind Smyth CBE FMedSci to the Academy’s Honorary Officers. Ros has made a huge contribution to the Academy since becoming a Fellow, including chairing our Starter Grants panel and her dedication to mentoring and supporting others in their careers.

“At this crucial juncture for research in the NHS, I am sure that our community around the UK will wish to join with me in welcoming Ros to the role of Vice-President (Clinical) and support her in our work with partners across health and social care to advance and promote clinical research.

“I would also like to thank Professor Paul Stewart FMedSci, who has served as the Academy’s Vice President (Clinical) for the past six years. Paul has been instrumental in delivering the Academy’s programme of support for clinical academics, including chairing the Clinical Academics in Training Forum and our workshops to assess the impact of Covid-19 on biomedical research careers.”

Professor Smyth will take up her position as Vice President (Clinical) with effect from the Academy’s Annual General Meeting on Tuesday 5 December 2023.

This article was first published on 31 July by UCL.