“Don’t confuse simple with easy, the best solutions for real change are built on complexity” – Professor Claire Griffiths delivers inaugural lecture

Professor Griffiths, from the Carnegie School of Sport, reflected on her 24-year journey with the University, from undergraduate Sports and Exercise Science student to Co-Director of the Obesity Institute and her ambition to improve the lives of people living with obesity through real-world, system-wide change.

As a researcher, Claire challenges traditional narratives around obesity, highlighting the limitations of viewing it purely through an energy balance equation. Instead, she emphasised that obesity is the result of a complex system of interconnected influences, including social, environmental, cultural and psychological factors.

She said: “Anyone can say “just eat less to lose weight” but an expert who understands metabolism, psychology, habits and nutrition can distil that into a clear, practical system that actually works. The same simplicity, with a completely different depth behind it.”

Professor Griffiths presented evidence showing the scale of the challenge, including that around one in five children leave primary school living with obesity, with wider impacts on physical health, mental wellbeing and the UK economy.

Her lecture highlighted a critical disconnect between how obesity is understood and how it is researched. Despite widespread recognition of its complexity, much of the implementation focuses on isolated factors rather than the wider system.

Central to her work is developing and applying systems approaches that bring together different disciplines, perspectives and stakeholders. The aim? To present research to those making policy to create a sustainable, long-term change.

Claire said: “We know obesity is multifactorial, yet research and policy often remain siloed. If we want meaningful change, we need to move beyond studying single factors and start understanding how the whole system works together.”

She added: “What we now need to do is understand how this system behaves, so we can give policy makers and practitioners the insights they need to make informed decisions.”

Professor Griffiths also reflected on the importance of leadership, integration and collaboration in making systems approaches work in practice. She highlighted the need to break down traditional boundaries and build shared understanding to make real change in the way that obesity is approached on both a public health and individual level.

The inaugural lecture celebrated not only Professor Griffiths’ career and research achievements, but also the wider role of universities and partners in addressing complex societal challenges through collaboration, innovation and inclusive practice.

Through her leadership at Leeds Beckett and within the Obesity Institute, Claire is helping to build the foundations for a more effective, evidence-informed systems approach to obesity. One that bridges the gap between theory and real-world implementation and delivers lasting benefits for not only individuals but communities and society.