A pair of fellowships for influential Health Sciences academics
Two notable Health Sciences academics from the University of Southampton have been awarded important fellowships from the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) at a celebratory event.
Dr Lisa Roberts and Professor Maria Stokes were awarded with their fellowships by Council on the recommendations of the Professional Awards Committee in accordance with the Royal Charter.
By achieving the status of fellow the Southampton academics have ‘advanced the profession as a whole by forwarding the boundaries of professional knowledge and/or furthering the aims of the profession and the Society'.
Dr Lisa Roberts, Arthritis Research UK Senior Lecturer in physiotherapy at the University of Southampton, and consultant physiotherapist, was given her award in recognition of her significant contribution to the profession as a leader, clinician, researcher and educator.
Lisa demonstrated the positive impact of a clinical academic career path in terms of clinical outcomes, research outputs, and the translation and implementation of research findings into practice in the field of musculoskeletal physiotherapy. Her research outputs are significant, with an impressive number of full length papers.
Professor Maria Stokes was awarded her fellowship in recognition of her outstanding contribution to research within the physiotherapy profession.
Maria has contributed significantly to the evidence base of physiotherapy and developed an international reputation amongst researchers from a number of disciplines, both clinical and academic.
She leads musculoskeletal research at the Faculty of Health Sciences, as well as the Southampton arm of the Arthritis Research UK Centre of Excellence for Sport, Exercise and Osteoarthritis. Her work spans the activity spectrum from elite sportsmen and women to frail older people.
Dr Roberts said: "It's an incredible honour to receive such an award and a real privilege to be recognised amongst some of the most influential academics in the physiotherapy profession.
"I'm very grateful to the CSP for its support in helping me make my contribution to the advancement of physiotherapy."
Chair of Council for the CSP Sue Rees said: "The CSP Fellowships are given to those within the physiotherapy profession who constantly strive to make service improvements and provide an enrichment of the patient experience.
"The CSP Fellowships acknowledge those, such as Dr Roberts and Professor Stokes, who have been an inspiration to others - whether they are patients, peers or fellow professionals."