Professor Azeem Majeed Named NIHR Senior Investigator for Contributions to Primary Care and Public Health

The NIHR has announced its latest cohort of Senior Investigators (SIs), including leaders from the NHS, social care, methodology, public health, dentistry and pharmacy.

This new cohort signals NIHR’s ongoing commitment to broadening participation in health and care research leadership. This includes notable regional growth in Yorkshire and the Humber, the South West, and an expansion across universities, with three appointments from former polytechnics.

In Round 18, 58 SIs have been appointed in this cohort, comprising 39 newly appointed and 19 reappointed Senior Investigators. They are joining a College of NIHR Senior Investigators that now stands at 200 active members.

Strengthening professional and regional diversity in research leadership

The NIHR Senior Investigator scheme has long been recognised as a mark of distinction for leading researchers in health and care. This year’s appointments reflect a more inclusive approach to research leadership, acknowledging the significant contributions of the full range of professionals working in health, including social care, public health, and applied health sciences. Applications were rigorously assessed across three professional sub-committees, representing:

• • • Nursing, midwifery, allied health professionals and methodologists

    • Social care and public health

    • Medicine, dentistry and public health

Among those appointed in this round are Professor Azeem Majeed, Director at NIHR ARC Northwest London, and Professor Christopher Millett, both from Imperial College London. Azeem Majeed is Professor of Primary Care and Public Health, with research focusing on using new technology and health data to improve the prevention, early detection, and management of long-term conditions. He is also an Honorary Consultant in Public Health at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust. Chris Millett is Professor of Public Health at Imperial College London. Christopher directs the Public Health Policy Evaluation Unit within the School of Public Health. He is lead investigator at Imperial College for the NIHR School of Public Health Research and Co-Principal Investigator for an NIHR Global Health Research Centre on NCDs and Environmental Change in Bangladesh, India and Indonesia.

Professor Lucy Chappell, Chief Executive Officer of the NIHR and Chief Scientific Adviser at the Department of Health and Social Care, said:

"I am pleased to welcome this group of outstanding researchers to the College of NIHR Senior Investigators. I look forward to working with them as ambassadors for the NIHR and champions of research excellence.

"Their diverse range of expertise and experience from across the health, social care and public health system will support the NIHR in promoting a strong research ecosystem, driving innovation to improve outcomes and achieve economic growth."

Who are NIHR Senior Investigators?

Senior Investigators are outstanding research leaders in health and care, recognised for their significant contributions to the NIHR and the wider research landscape. They influence policy, inspire and mentor early-career researchers, and drive innovative research that improves lives. They promote NIHR’s vision of research that improves health, care, and outcomes for all.

NIHR Senior Investigators serve on our funding committees and boards and provide leadership at a regional or national level. They serve as NIHR ambassadors, demonstrate research excellence, contribute to national growth, and champion the involvement of patients and communities in research.

Senior Investigator awards are four years in duration. Successful applicants receive a discretionary award of £20,000 annually to fund activities supporting their research.

The next application round for NIHR Senior Investigators will open in June 2025.