Fellowship honour for one of our health experts

Senior lecturer in podiatry, Dao Tunprasert, has received a prestigious Fellowship from the Council of Deans of Health, aimed at developing the next generation of health education leaders.

Dao researches the musculoskeletal biomechanics of the different ways people walk,  alongside examining the effects of footwear and insoles in controlling movement. She is also currently doing her PhD study in footwear assessment.

Dao is one of 11 Fellows on the first cohort of the Council of Deans of Health Leadership Fellowship scheme, which has been created by the Council’s Anti-Racism Advisory Group in response to an Academic Staffing Census which found significant demographic gaps in the healthcare academic sector. Dao is also part of the Race Equality Charter steering group at University of Brighton, and the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion group at the Royal College of Podiatry.

The new Fellows represent a broad spectrum of researchers and professionals from across the UK, bringing together academics with professionals working in nursing, midwifery, occupational therapy, operating department practice, physiotherapy, podiatry and radiography.

Dao said: “There are a lot of rapid changes and uncertainty in the world we are in. I would like to ensure that I am a great leader who can lead my team to success and create a sustainable future.

“The Fellowship Scheme will help support my future career goals by allowing me to learn more about leadership through training, and with the support of an experienced mentor. I am excited at the opportunity to network with other Fellows from various disciplines across the country as well.”

Professor Brian Webster-Henderson, Chair of the Council of Deans of Health, said: “I want to wish a warm welcome to the first cohort of the Council’s Fellowship Scheme. Not only is this Scheme key in strengthening diversity and inclusion across the healthcare academic sector, it will also play an integral role in equipping healthcare academics with key leadership qualities needed at senior academic roles.”

The Council of Deans of Health is the voice of the deans and heads of UK university faculties for nursing, midwifery and the allied health professions.