What’s happened?

Professor Catherine Bowen, Professor of Podiatry at the School of Health Sciences at the University of Southampton and Director of NIHR Applied Research Collaboration Wessex, has been reappointed as a Senior Investigator by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). 

The NIHR Senior Investigator position recognises leading researchers in health and social care. Senior Investigators play a role in shaping the direction of research across health, public health and social care in the UK. 

In being reappointed to the role, the NIHR highlighted Professor Bowen’s internationally recognised research portfolio, leadership and commitment to inclusive research practice. 

On her reappointment, she said: 

“Being appointed for a second term as an NIHR Senior Investigator is an honour, and it reinforces my commitment to ensuring that applied health and care research represents and benefits all communities. 

“Much of my career has focused on addressing inequalities through research, alongside building capacity. This award strengthens my determination to continue championing underrepresented groups who are often missing from research.” 

The latest cohort includes 59 Senior Investigators across a range of disciplines, including paediatrics, dentistry, nursing, midwifery and health services research. Of these, 42 are new appointments and 17 are reappointments.

Why this matters to members 

Recognition at this level remains relatively rare within podiatry. Professor Bowen’s reappointment reinforces the profession’s growing presence within UK health research and its contribution to wider health and care priorities. 

Senior Investigators play a role in influencing research direction, funding priorities and national conversations about care delivery. Having podiatry represented within that group helps ensure that lower limb health, and the conditions associated with it, are more visible within those discussions. 

Professor Bowen is the third podiatrist to receive a Senior Investigator Award following Professor Tony Redmond and Professor Annemarie Keenan OBE. It remains relatively rare for the profession to have three individuals recognised at this level. 

For clinicians, this is not simply a personal accolade. It reflects the increasing relevance of podiatry within areas such as long-term conditions, health inequalities and population health, all of which are central to current NHS priorities. 

Links and references

NIHR announcement

University of Southampton press release