Professors Jacko and Yule present their inaugural lectures

Guests were welcomed by the stirring sound of traditional Scottish bagpipes, performed by champion bagpipe player Lachlan Dick, Clinical Research Fellow and PhD student within the Surgical Sabermetrics Laboratory led by Steven Yule, who led the professorial procession into the grand Playfair Library Hall.

Following the procession, Professor David Argyle, Vice-Principal and Head of the College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, warmly welcomed an audience of family, friends, colleagues, and members of the public, introducing the lectures and celebrating the remarkable achievements of Professors Jacko and Yule.

Professor Julie Jacko

The first lecture was delivered by Professor Julie Jacko, Chair of Health Informatics and Data Science, Chief Academic Officer of the Usher Institute, and Dean of Innovation and Engagement for the College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine. Julie, who holds a BSc, MSc, and PhD in Industrial and Systems Engineering from Purdue University, has been internationally recognised for her contributions to systems engineering, human-computer interaction, and digital health. Julie was awarded the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE), the highest honour awarded by the US government to emerging research leaders. She joined The University of Edinburgh two years ago from Nova Southeastern University in Florida, where she was Professor and Founding Chair of the Department of Population Health Sciences.

Julie’s work focuses on harnessing intelligent technologies and human-centred design to transform healthcare delivery and advance equity on a global scale. With more than $30m in externally funded research, over 190 publications, and more than 15,850 citations, she has established a remarkable career as a researcher, consultant and entrepreneur.

Professor Steven Yule

The second lecture was delivered by Professor Steven Yule. Steven is Chair of Behavioural Sciences at the Usher Institute and Clinical Surgery within the College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine. Steven holds an MA (Hons) in Psychology, PhD in Industrial/Organisational Psychology, and Postdoctoral Fellowship in Psychology from the University of Aberdeen, an MSc (Eng) in Work Design and Ergonomics from the University of Birmingham, and a Postdoctoral Fellowship in Surgery from The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh. Previous appointments include lecturer in Psychology at University of Aberdeen, Associate Professor in Surgery at Harvard Medical School, and Director of Research and Innovation at the STRATUS Centre for Medical Simulation, Boston. 

Since joining The University of Edinburgh in 2020, Steven has led the Surgical Sabermetrics Laboratory, directed the MSc programme in Patient Safety and Clinical Human Factors, and serves as Director of Non-Technical Skills for Surgeons at the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh. His research applies video and sensor technologies to improve performance and safety in high-stakes environments, including surgery, spaceflight, and sport. With over $15 in research funding and 150+ publications, Steven continues to shape the future of high-reliability healthcare.

After both lectures, the audience engaged in a Q&A session with the professors. The evening concluded with a drinks reception serenaded by harpist Iain Hood, providing a relaxed setting for guests to continue discussions and celebrate the achievements of both professors.

Image credit | Joanna Clarke

Further information

Watch the full recording of the Future Health: Inaugural lecture

Julie Jacko | The University of Edinburgh

Steven Yule | Clinical Surgery