Fellowship honours for Surrey professors
Two of Surrey’s eminent professors have been elected as Fellows to the Royal College of Nursing and Academy of Medical Sciences.
Professors Ann Gallagher and Derk-Jan Dijk have been recognised for their contribution to their respective fields of nursing and biomedical science.
With more than three decades of experience, first as a nurse and then as a healthcare ethicist, researcher, editor and teacher, Professor Gallagher is a renowned expert in her field. She is Director of the International Care Ethics (ICE) Observatory, editor of the international journal, Nursing Ethics and is co-chair of Princess Alice Hospice Clinical Ethics Committee.
Professor Gallagher is currently on sabbatical examining cross-cultural perspectives and practices relating to ethics and elder care.
She said: “With increased media attention, demographic changes and public expectations, our health and social care system is facing increased scrutiny and challenges. It is critical that care practitioners appreciate the importance of ethics in care and have time, space, education and positive organisational cultures to sustain good care. Our work helps fill the gaps in this area and provides guidance to promote ethical care-giving.”
As Fellow to the Academy of Medical Sciences, Professor Derk-Jan Dijk’s joins a prestigious group of academics who have been recognised for their outstanding contributions to biomedical and health science, leading research discoveries, and translating developments into benefits for patients and the wider society.
Professor Dijk is a world-renowned expert in circadian rhythms and sleep and has more than 30 years of experience in clinical sleep research. He is Director of the Surrey Sleep Research Centre, recipient of the Sleep Research Society’s Distinguished Scientist Award and a Royal Society Wolfson Research Merit Award. With his colleagues, he delivers pioneering research which improves the understanding of how sleep and circadian rhythms contribute to brain function and physical health across the lifespan.
Professor Dijk said: “It is an honour to join this prestigious and diverse group of academics, each of whom strive to improve and understand more about human health. The importance of sleep to a person’s health is undeniable and we need to learn more about its impact on our brain and body. I recognise the important contribution of my colleagues and am grateful to the funding bodies and academic institutions for their support of sleep and circadian rhythm research.”