University’s Institute of Health and Wellbeing appoints new Director

The University of Northampton has appointed Professor Judith Sixsmith as the new Director of the Institute of Health and Wellbeing (IoHW), with effect from 1 August 2016.

Judith has been Professor of Public Health Improvement and Implementation at the University since 2011, and is currently co-lead of the Ageing Research Centre within IoHW.  Judith’s research interests span ageing and technology, place making, and wellbeing within organisations and communities, and she is a Co-Investigator on the AGE-WELL network of Centres of Excellence in Canada – a research programme worth $36.6 million Canadian dollars over five years. Before joining the University of Northampton, Judith was the Director of the Centre for Social Change and Wellbeing at Manchester Metropolitan University.

Judith commented: “I am thrilled to take over the directorship of the Institute for Health and Wellbeing from Professor Carol Phillips. Carol, together with the fantastic staff working in the Institute, built very strong foundations for research, evaluation and social innovation. I hope to support the Institute to drive this agenda forward and produce excellent work which will make a positive difference to the health and wellbeing of people in Northamptonshire, as well as contributing to social change in national and international contexts.

The Institute of Health and Wellbeing was established in 2013.