Health care research professor at Kingston University and St George's, University of London named Academy of Social Sciences Fellow

Posted Wednesday 16 October 2019

Professor of Health Care Research at Kingston University and St George's, University of London Professor Annette Boaz has been made a Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences.

Professor Boaz has worked for the Faculty of Health, Social Care and Education, run jointly by Kingston and St George's, since 2013 and is among 65 leading social scientists to join many other distinguished academics and practitioners previously recognised for their contributions to the social sciences.

Election as a Fellow is limited to scientists who have contributed to the field of social science beyond the normal demands of their job. They must have made significant achievements for public benefit and be viewed by their peers as having contributed to areas of thought leadership, practical application or policy development.

Professor Boaz has been honoured for her work in how social science research can be both useful and useable in policy and practise. Most recently, her work has focused on how researchers can engage stakeholders in the implementation of tobacco control programmes and the use of research in end of life care.

Earlier this year, she worked with her peers to publish a new book, the first in its field, on how evidence is used in policymaking and service delivery and has also recently been announced as one of the researchers leading an up to £9 million Applied Research Collaboration in South London, led by Kingston, St George's and King's College London. The group's aims will be to address the challenges of an ageing society, more people living with multiple long-term health conditions and the increasing demands on our health and care system.

Speaking on her new Fellowship, Professor Boaz said, "My work is very much focused on connecting research with the outside world and its application. It's fantastic to see this kind of work recognised by the Academy of Social Sciences and it will hopefully open the field for other social scientists who are pushing thinking around the relationship between policy, practise and research too."

Professor Boaz believes working within the joint faculty has also enabled her to take opportunities that might not otherwise have been available. "Both Kingston and St George's have provided a tremendously supportive environment," she said. "Belonging to the Faculty has allowed me to tap into the expertise at both institutions, giving me access to all the resources I need to carry out my work."

Categories: On campus, Research, Staff