NU-NHSA Launch Event

Wednesday 16th September 2026 · 12:00–17:00

Northumbria University, Newcastle · In-person

Lunch provided

AGENDA

12:00-12:45 Arrival

• All attendees invited for lunch
• Photo opportunity for NHSA and NU leadership teams

12:45-13:00 Introduction from Northumbria University

Welcome and introductions:

• Prof Joanne Atkinson, Faculty Pro Vice Chancellor
• Prof Ioannis Vogiatzis, Faculty Associate Pro Vice Chancellor (Research and Knowledge Exchange)

13:00-13:15 Introduction from the Northern Health Science Alliance (NHSA)

• Hannah Davies, NHSA Chief Executive

13:15-14:10 Overview of NHSA programmes from NHSA executive leads

• Health Equity North; Women’s Health – Hannah Davies

• Mental Health; Child Health; Ageing North; NHS Workforce Challenges; University Knowledge Exchange– Dr Mandy Dixon

• Investment and International Partnerships; Nutrition North – Dr Ben Martyn

• Data and AI; Diagnostics and MedTech; Advanced Therapies; Northern Head and Neck Cancer Alliance – Helen Cole

• Policy and Comms Impact - Ruth Boston 

• Q&A session 

14:10-14:30 Networking and refreshment break

14:30-15:40 Presentations from Northumbria University Leads

• Building Health Equity through Policy, Research, and Workforce Development: The CHASE Approach - Allan Kellehear

• From Evidence to Policy: The Common-Sense Policy Group Approach - Matthew Johnson

• Health Equity Across the Life Course: Translating Evidence into Impact - Elliott Johnson

• Workforce education, training systems, and sustainability of staffing in healthcare practice - Jane Greaves

• Methodological Innovation in Health Economics and Real-World Evaluation - Angela Bate

• Supporting Clinical Academic Careers – Graham McClelland

• Research and Innovation: Strengthening System-Wide Collaboration and Delivery - Jack Palmer
  
  
• Q&A Session

15:40-16:40 Breakout discussions: Workshops: How do we maximise value from the NHSA membership?

1. Implementation Science (Tracy Finch & Tim Rapley) - Room NBD 252

From Evidence to Impact: Implementation Science for Health and Care Transformation

2. Public Health & Health Inequalities (Katie Haighton & Peter van der Graaf) - Room NBD 314

Public Health and Health Inequalities: Tackling Population Health Disparities

3. Applied Health & Social Care Research Capacity Building (Darren Flynn & Jo Gray) - Room NBD 346

         Building Applied Health Research Capacity: Strengthening Workforce-Led Innovation and Impact

16:40-17:00 Feedback and close of the meeting - Prof loannis Vogiatzis, Faculty Associate Pro Vice Chancellor