LJMU appoints global figure to lead research and innovation in health

LJMU is to reinforce its credentials as a global centre for Public Health with the appointment of leading figure, Professor Mark Bellis.

Mark has been Director of Policy and International Health for Public Health Wales and Professor of Public Health at Bangor University. Mark is also a member of the WHO global expert advisory panel on violence prevention and has undertaken substantive work in the fields of violence prevention alcohol, drugs and sexual health.

He joins LJMU as Director of Research and Innovation for the Faculty of Health, incorporating the Public Health Institute.

Previously, Mark has been a Director of Public Health in England and was responsible for setting up the Institute at LJMU back in the 1990s.

As well as international work with WHO, Professor Bellis has also worked as an advisor to organisations including; the United Nations Development Programme, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund. He has published over 190 academic papers and more than 250 applied public health reports.

He continues to head an on-going research programme examining Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and their impact on health and behaviour across the life course.

The university has also recruited a new Director of Nursing and Advanced Practice – Julie Williams - who joins from Edge Hill University and has a wealth of experience in Health Education.

Faculty of Health PVC Professor Raphaela Kane said: "I am thrilled to welcome Mark and Julie. They will bring enormous knowledge and experience to the Faculty leadership team and to our provision in Nursing and Public Health."