Science and research to be at the core of UKHSA

Public Health England’s (PHE) Public Health Research and Science Conference 2021 starts online today and runs for 4 days.

New CEO of the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), Jenny Harries, will be setting out the importance of science and research for the institution alongside some of her early thoughts and ambitions for the new organisation.

Dr Harries’ keynote speech will set out the importance of science and research for the UKHSA in order to become a global scientific leader.

The 4-day online event will focus on protecting and improving health, including responding to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Throughout the conference, in-depth panel discussions and keynote speeches will take place. These will be on topics across the full spectrum of issues that concern public health practitioners and policymakers globally, including the impact of COVID-19 and horizon scanning for future threats.

Focusing on scientific methods to protect and improve public health, speakers from a variety of organisations including the World Health Organization (WHO), Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, and NHS England and NHS Improvement will speak to around 2,000 delegates virtually.

Dr Jenny Harries, keynote speaker and CEO of the new UK Health Security Agency, said:

Today I will be setting out my thoughts and ambitions for the UK Health Security Agency, which in these difficult times, must rightly include leading our ongoing fight against COVID-19 and reflecting on the lessons that this pandemic has taught us in order to prevent future threats.

I am committed to ensuring that science and research are at UKHSA’s core and that the institution is recognised as a global scientific leader.

Other keynote speakers include:

• Professor Sandi Deans, Genomic Scientific and Laboratory Deputy Director, Genomics Unit, NHS England and NHS Improvement
• Dr Richard Hatchett, Chief Executive Officer, Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations
• Dr Maria Neira, Director of Public Health, Environmental and Social Determinants of Health, WHO
• Dr John Nkengasong, Director, Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention
• Dr Soumya Swaminathan, Chief Scientist, WHO

Follow @PHE_uk on Twitter for updates on the conference.