World-class professor takes lead role at Medical School

Professor Richard Smith will move to Exeter from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, where he is currently Dean of the Faculty of Public Health and Policy. He will take up the newly-created role of Deputy Pro-Vice Chancellor in September, as well as continuing his outstanding work in analysing the economic impact of health issues and innovations worldwide.

Professor Smith’s appointment will further strengthen the Medical School’s Health Economics Group, which is planning further expansion.

He said: “I’m really looking forward to joining such an ambitious Medical School at an exciting time in its trajectory. Already, the research community at Exeter is extremely strong, and I can’t wait to joint this fantastic team, as well as to support the strategic growth of the Medical School.”

Professor Smith has played a leading role in research totalling more than £40 million in grants and 200 publications. His current research includes the links between agriculture and health, with a major project analysing the palm oil industry in South East Asia, and several looking at the relationship between the food sector and health. This includes an evaluation of the UK Treasury Soft Drinks Industry Levy – widely known as the sugar tax. Professor Smith is part of a team assessing what impact this has on areas including pricing, consumer behaviour and industry profits.

Clive Ballard, Executive Dean and Pro-Vice Chancellor of the University of Exeter Medical School, said: “I’m delighted to welcome Richard to our outstanding research community at Exeter. He brings a wealth of experience in both world-class research and management, and I’m excited about seeing our Health Economics Group go from strength to strength.”