The Faculty of Health and Life Sciences
We are training the next generation of innovators to achieve tangible positive benefits across health and the life sciences. Our ground-breaking research has been ranked 100% for impact.
About us
The Faculty of Health and Life Sciences brings together academics and students across the spectrum of health, wellbeing and life sciences, including the social and environmental context, to create a holistic community with exciting synergies, dedicated to creating positive impact.
Covering Biosciences, Psychology, Health and Care Professions (Nursing, Medical Imaging and Pharmacy), Public Health and Sports Sciences, Health and Community Sciences, and Clinical and Biomedical Sciences, the Faculty is based over multiple campuses in Exeter and Cornwall, and on partner NHS sites.
I’m delighted to be leading the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences. Through our exceptional research and teaching, our vibrant and diverse faculty will play a significant role in contributing to the University’s commitment to making key breakthroughs to transform human health and wellbeing, within the context of strong fundamental health and life sciences.
Our faculty brings together an amazing combination of disciplinary and interdisciplinary strengths in both research and education. We will build on our strengths to fully develop our faculty’s potential, with a strong ethos of teamwork, trust and understanding, and with respect, transparency and inclusion at the core of the way we work.
Read more from Professor Sallie Lamb
Professor Sallie Lamb
Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Executive Dean
Our research
Our interdisciplinary approach includes partnerships with healthcare providers, industry and above all, the public. This approach is at the forefront of the innovative and cutting-edge translational research undertaken across the faculty’s departments and research groups, and within the Living Systems Institute. In the Research Excellence Framework 2021, 100% of our research impact in the areas of Life Sciences and Health was rated world-leading or internationally excellent.
Our education
We offer programmes that develop the science and healthcare leaders of the future - critical thinkers and problem-solvers who are socially accountable and committed to the service of patients and the public. Our diverse programme portfolio provides opportunities to specialise in a single discipline or explore interdisciplinary study, with many programmes offering options for study abroad or industrial and professional placements.
Our Leadership Team
Professor Sallie Lamb
Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Executive Dean
Sallie Lamb is an internationally recognised scholar in ageing, disability and rehabilitation and is the Mireille Gillings Professor of Health Innovation. She is also an experienced methodologist in the area of clinical trials and high quality evaluation of health care practice.
Email: hls-pvc@exeter.ac.uk
Professor Jo Bowtell
Deputy Pro-Vice-Chancellor
As a member of the Faculty Executive Team, Jo Bowtell’s job is to provide clear and effective leadership to the Faculty, promoting a sense of collegiality, ambition, inclusion and a vibrant culture, encouraging productivity and ensuring that the PVC delivers her management of the faculty.
Email: J.Bowtell@exeter.ac.uk
Professor Clive Ballard
Deputy Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Dean of the University of Exeter Medical School
Clive Ballard is a psychiatrist who was driven to study dementia after witnessing the poor conditions in which people with dementia were cared for. He has led more dementia and cognitive health trials than anyone else in Europe over the last decade.
Email: c.ballard@exeter.ac.uk
Rachel Burn
Director of Faculty Operations
Rachel Burn has overall leadership responsibility for operational and administrative support in the Faculty. Her role is to ensure professional services directly support the faculty and University's strategies in the delivery of outstanding and world leading education and research.
Email: R.L.Burn@exeter.ac.uk
Professor Ian Fussell
Associate Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Education
Ian Fussell’s key role will be to oversee and look after the education activities of the faculty working together with Daryl Wilkinson, the Associate Dean of Education and other colleagues to achieve this.
Email: I.Fussell@exeter.ac.uk
Professor Anni Vanhatalo
Associate Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research and Impact
Anni Vanhatalo is a Professor of Human Physiology, and provides leadership for the delivery of the University’s Research & Impact strategy.
Email: A.Vanhatalo@exeter.ac.uk
Professor Huw Williams
Associate Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Global Engagement
Huw Williams is a Professor of Clinical Neuropsychology and Co-Director of the Centre for Clinical Neuropsychology Research (CCNR).
Email: W.H.Williams@exeter.ac.uk
Professor Austin Smith
Director of the Living Systems Institute
In the LSI, Austin Smith aims to combine mathematical and biophysical approaches with stem cell biology to create an integrated research programme in multicellular assembly and tissue dynamics.
Email: austin.smith@exeter.ac.uk
Professor Chrissie Thirlwell
Associate Dean for Clinical Relationships (Medical School)
The Associate Dean for Clinical Relationships plays a key role in maintaining and further developing critical relationships with the NHS and other health-related organisations fundamental to the success of the School and the Faculty.
Email: hls-ad-cr@exeter.ac.uk
Dr Daryl Wilkerson
Associate Dean for Education (Medical School)
Daryl Wilkerson is an Associate Professor in Exercise Physiology and was previously Associate Dean Education for Sport and Health Sciences.
Email: D.P.Wilkerson@exeter.ac.uk
Professor Karen Knapp
Head of Department – Health and Care Professions
Karen Knapp’s role involves leading the strategic direction of our department to ensure excellence in education, research and innovation, keeping students, patients and the public at the core of our activities.
Email: K.M.Knapp@exeter.ac.uk
Professor Jonathan Mill and Professor Jonathan Brown
Heads of Department – Clinical and Biomedical Sciences (Medical School)
Jonathan Mill is a Professor of Epigenomics and Head of the Complex Disease Epigenomics Group. Jonathan Brown is an Associate Professor of Neurophysiology.
Email: J.Mill@exeter.ac.uk
Email: J.T.Brown@exeter.ac.uk
Professor Claire Hulme
Head of Department – Health and Community Sciences (Medical School)
Claire Hulme is Professor of Health Economics with research interests around integration of health and social care and health inequalities.
Email: C.T.Hulme@exeter.ac.uk
Professor Mark Wilson
Head of Department – Public Health and Sport Sciences (Medical School)
Mark Wilson is a Professor of Performance Psychology, with an interest in understanding why performance breaks down under pressure.
Email: Mark.Wilson@exeter.ac.uk
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