PROF. CATHERINE BOWEN

PhD, FFPM RCPS(Glasg), FCPodMed

Catherine qualified as a podiatrist in the UK in 1987 and completed her PhD on the developments of musculoskeletal ultrasound imaging techniques applied to the foot and ankle in 2009. A professor in Podiatry at the University of Southampton, Catherine is Head of the School of Health Sciences Active Living Research Group comprising six research programmes of multidisciplinary researchers and Academic Career Development Lead for the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration Wessex leading research capacity and capability initiatives across the region. Catherine also leads a multi-professional research partnership with a core focus on musculoskeletal foot and ankle pathology, in particular as PI for the Chingford 1000 Women cohort foot osteoarthritis programme. She has extensive experience in leading strategic multi-professional groups in this field and continues to make a significant contribution to sustainability of the national and international research base through leading roles. For example, as Editor in Chief of the Journal of Foot and Ankle Research, a member of RCPod Clinical Senate and Professoriate, and other professional roles of influence that include two invited international appointments: Adjunct Professor, Auckland University of Technology, New Zealand and Adjunct Professor, Queensland University of Technology, Australia. As Chair for the OARSI (Osteoarthritis Research Society International) Foot and Ankle Research Consortium, she is currently involved in leading an international consensus exercise for providing research priorities that will inform the global public health impact of foot-ankle osteoarthritis and advance our ability to treat this disabling condition. Throughout her academic career, Catherine has championed the advancement of early career researchers notably through leadership of the UK wide Versus Arthritis (Arthritis Research UK) nurse and allied health internship scheme, and for women’s careers in science through leadership of the University Athena SWAN (women’s science academic network) charter awards.