Good evening everyone and welcome to the fourth online London Lecture for the spring term. Tonight's speaker is Professor Dylan Edwards, the Pro Vice Chancellor for the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences at UEA. Professor Edwards will be introducing Professor Christy Sanderson, a professor in UEA's School of Health Sciences and a chair in applied health research.
Before we hear from Professor Sanderson, let's take a quick update on some recent happenings at UEA. On the 18th of May, UEA's Health and Humanities Network, along with the Latin American Studies Network, presented a research forum and book launch event for "A Better World," a book discussing how we can reconstruct our societies, environments, cultures, and economies in the anticipated wake of the pandemic.
On the 28th of May, International Clinical Trials Day will be celebrated. This day aims to raise awareness about how clinical trials work and their importance in the medical field. You can join an online talk hosted by Dr. Polly Ashford of the Norwich Clinical Trials Unit at UEA to learn about the incredible medical advancements happening in Norfolk.
Despite the gradual return to in-person events, UEA continues to offer a variety of public events in an online format. This allows individuals to access research and education from the safety of their homes or even from a park bench if the weather permits. The upcoming worldwide Point of Science Festival, which will be held from the 17th to the 20th of May, will feature nearly 70 live online shows exploring various scientific topics.
UEA has also been actively involved in COVID-19 testing. As early as 2020, UEA collaborated with research park partners to launch PCR-based testing. Since then, they have conducted 15,000 PCR-based tests, effectively intercepting COVID cases and preventing community spread. UEA has also established lateral flow testing centers on campus to ensure the safety of their students and staff. The additional testing center at the students' union aims to encourage more people to make testing a regular part of their routine.
Now, let's turn our attention to Professor Christy Sanderson's research in applied health sciences. Since joining UEA in 2017, Professor Sanderson has been focusing on addressing the NHS priority of attracting and retaining a future healthcare workforce. Her research program aims to improve the support provided to staff and learners in the health and social care system, ensuring a sustainable and resilient workforce.
Professor Sanderson leads the Workforce Sustainability Research Group at UEA and is also the Deputy Lead for the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration East of England Mental Health over the Life Course theme.
In summary, Professor Christy Sanderson's research sheds light on the importance of supporting and retaining a future healthcare workforce. Her work addresses the needs of the health and social care system, ultimately contributing to a sustainable and resilient workforce.