18th June, 2008 Belfast
In Belfast for the launch of the new Centre of Excellence in Public Health, led by Frank Kee at Queen’s University, Belfast. As a graduate of Queen's University, have been delighted to see the remarkable progress in academic public health under Frank’s inspired leadership. I was particularly delighted to see that the launch conference was opened by Northern Ireland’s Deputy First Minister and Health Minister, two individuals from different political parties who, not so many years, would not have spoken to one another. The Centre’s research programme recognises the importance of interlinkages between different disciplines and the need to translate research into policy. This is just what Northern Ireland has needed for a long time and it is certainly something to watch.