Visiting Professor awarded prestigious global health professorship

Professor Saeed Farooq, who works closely with the University’s Institute of Health and Wellbeing, has been awarded a NIHR (National Institute for Health and Care Research) Global Health Professorship.

The NIHR Global Research Professorship scheme funds researchers to promote effective translation of research and to strengthen research leadership at the highest academic levels. The global research professorship is a highly competitive award. The awardees are selected from the UK and 82 low- and middle-income countries after a rigorous selection process involving a stringent peer review of the proposed research plans and interview.

Saeed is a Professor of Psychiatry and Public Mental Health in the School of Medicine Keele University and Honorary Consultant Psychiatrist Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust. His research topic is ‘Translating evidence for Early Intervention in Psychosis (TRANSLATE) in Low and Lower-Middle Countries (LMIC): Implementation and Evaluation’.

Saeed works closely with Professor Kingston. The most recent collaboration was in an innovative Fireside study that was funded by NIHR. The Fireside study explored and developed an innovative intervention to work collaboratively with the fire services for early detection of mental illness in the elderly population.

Saeed said: “This global research professorship is culmination of over decades of my work and I am highly grateful to Professor Paul Kingston for his support during my earlier research career. His support and mentoring helped me to establish an academic pathway in the UK. I am proud of my ongoing collaboration with Paul and the University of Chester. I am confident that the award will help me to further my collaborative work with the University of Chester and will increase the global outreach for Chester.”   

Professor Paul Kingston, Director of the University of Chester’s Institute of Health and Wellbeing, said: “This is an extremely prestigious award and we extend our congratulations to Saeed on this achievement. We are honoured he shares his expertise with our students and staff.”