Professor Catherine Bowen has been selected as the ARC Wessex Deputy Director to support our programme of research and capacity development and lead our preparations to get ready for the next ARC competition.
Catherine Bowen is Professor in Podiatry at the University of Southampton and Head of the School of Health Sciences Active Living Research Group and Academic Career Development Lead for the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration Wessex. Cathy leads a programme of research that focusses on maintenance of musculoskeletal foot and ankle health for active living and is an NIHR Senior Investigator.
Professor Bowen said: “I’m absolutely delighted to be working with such a great team and with such an exciting time ahead”
ARC Wessex Director Professor Alison Richardson says: “I am delighted that, following a competitive application process, Cathy has stepped forward to assume the role of Deputy Director for ARC Wessex. Cathy is a respected leader in her field with first-hand experience of building and sustaining collaborative research programmes across organisations and systems. She has skilfully led the ARC Wessex academic career development programme over the last three years and established collaborative working relationships with many of our Trust and university partners. She will join me in managing the delivery of the ARC’s strategy, and be responsible for getting us into the best shape possible for the next iteration of the ARC”
Dr Karen Underwood, Director of Research and Development at University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, which hosts ARC Wessex: “It is great to have Cathy moving to become the Deputy Director within the ARC leadership team; her appointment will support the delivery of the ARC Wessex over the remaining award period and place us in a strong position as we look to a future ARC competition.”
The current ARC is set to continue until the end of March 2026. We are anticipating, but it is not certain, the next round of applications for a subsequent ARC to serve the needs of our region will be announced at some point in 2025.