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Two universities join forces to launch new Health and Wellbeing Research Centre
Teaming up with the University of Suffolk to launch the new Centre for Health and Wellbeing Research, the aim is to develop the portfolio of funded research in areas such as aging, dementia, the health benefits of warmer homes, healthy lifestyles, mental health and wellbeing, leadership and governance, and online safety for children.
Dr Stuart Flint from Leeds Beckett’s Carnegie School of Sport said: “There are a range of benefits with this partnership. The strengths of both institutions will complement one another with a focus on high quality research, income generation and impact through improved public health. We both want to develop strong, collaborative research that can have a positive impact on public health. It is a very exciting time and there is a lot of research potential.”
Professor Jill Robinson of the University of Suffolk will be leading the new centre. She said: “This is a really exciting time for research at the University of Suffolk and both the partnership with Leeds Beckett University, and our new centre, will enable us to build on our existing strengths and develop a more ambitious programme of research in this very important field.”
Professor Paul Gately, from Leeds Beckett’s Carnegie School of Sport, spoke at the launch event and welcomes the new partnership: “Research is increasingly a collaborative process as interdisciplinary teams have greater impact than individual scientists. In complex fields, such as public health, strong external networks and multi-agency working is particularly important given the importance of whole system approaches. Therefore, we are delighted to formalise our partnership with the University of Suffolk and look forward to building on the health and wellbeing research already underway”.
The launch comes after Leeds Beckett University was successful in a bid to deliver an integrated public health service, commissioned by Suffolk County Council. That service has delivered prevention and targeted interventions around healthy lifestyle training and awareness, NHS health checks, weight management, physical activity and smoking cessation programmes.