The University of Suffolk is taking steps to establish itself as a front runner in health research.

Ipswich Star: Professor Paul Gately talking at a launch event at the University of Suffolk. Picture: GREGG BROWNProfessor Paul Gately talking at a launch event at the University of Suffolk. Picture: GREGG BROWN

The organisation has formed a new partnership with Leeds Beckett University, which has a strong track record in this field and helps to lead a healthy lifestyle service for Suffolk County Council.

This coincides with the establishment of a new Centre for Health and Wellbeing Research at the University of Suffolk, based in Ipswich.

The centre will sit within the School of Health Sciences and will bring together a growing body of research from across the university.

The aim is to develop the university’s portfolio of funded research in areas such as ageing, dementia, the health benefits of warmer homes, healthy lifestyles, mental health and wellbeing, leadership and governance and online safety for children.

Ipswich Star: Professor Paul Gately talking at a launch event at the University of Suffolk. Picture: GREGG BROWNProfessor Paul Gately talking at a launch event at the University of Suffolk. Picture: GREGG BROWN

The centre will be led by Professor Jill Robinson. She said: “This is a really exciting time for research at the University of Suffolk and both the partnership with Leeds Becket University, and our new centre, will enable us to build on our existing strengths and develop a more ambitious programme of research in this very important field.”

Deputy vice chancellor at the University of Suffolk, Professor Mohammad Dastbaz, said he was delighted to be launching the Centre for Health and Wellbeing Research in collaboration with Leeds Beckett University.

He added: “We have a growing portfolio of health related courses and we pride ourselves to be developing the highly trained workforce of the future for our region. It is therefore wholly appropriate that we further develop our research in this area that feeds into the delivery of our curriculum.”

Dr Stuart Flint, senior research fellow at Leeds Beckett University, said: “There are a range of benefits with this partnership. We both wish to develop strong, collaborative research that can have a positive impact on public health. It is a really exciting time for the University of Suffolk in their development and because the relationship we have with One Life Suffolk service is relatively new, there is a lot of research potential.”