Southampton Professors appointed to key Research and Innovation Councils

The Board of the newly formed UK Research and Innovation have appointed Professors Jane Falkingham and Stephen Holgate to become members of the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) and Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) respectively.

The Board of the newly formed UK Research and Innovation have appointed Professors Jane Falkingham and Stephen Holgate to become members of the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) and Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) respectively.

Jane Falkingham is Professor of Demography and International Social Policy and Dean of the Faculty of Social, Human and Mathematical Sciences (Dean of Faculty of Social Sciences from 1 August 2018). Jane said:

“I am delighted to have been appointed to the new ESRC Council. It is an exciting time for UK research as we approach the launch of UKRI in 2018, and I am pleased to be able to work with Professor Rubin and the other Council members to support the ESRC and UKRI in driving forward social sciences research.”

Professor Stephen Holgate is Medical Research Council Clinical Professor of Immunopharmacology and Honorary Consultant Physician within Medicine at the University.

Commenting on the honour, Professor Holgate said:

“I am delighted to join the NERC Council. The wider environment is critical to biodiversity, human health and wellbeing. As a medical scientist, the opportunities for improvement in both these interconnected sectors are significant”

On 1 April 2018 the seven existing Research Councils, Innovate UK and Research England will be brought together under the umbrella of UK Research and Innovation with a combined budget of £6billion. Their objective is to ensure the UK maintains its world leading position in research and innovation.