Professors Kathrin Cresswell, Nazir Lone and Susan Shenkin deliver inaugural lectures

Following the professorial procession, Professor Lorna Marson, Dean of Clinical Medicine and Deputy Head of the College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, welcomed an audience of family, friends, colleagues and members of the public.

The evening showcased three distinct perspectives on the future of health and care, spanning digital innovation, critical care medicine and healthcare for older people. Across the lectures, themes of interdisciplinarity, collaboration and teamwork emerged strongly, alongside reflections on the importance of education, inclusive working cultures and partnership across clinical, academic and professional services teams.

Professor Kathrin Cresswell

Kathrin Cresswell is a social scientist and Professor of Digital Innovations in Health and Care. She specialises in conducting formative evaluations of digital change and improvement programmes across health and care settings. A core focus of her research is understanding why digital initiatives succeed or fail by examining the organisational, political and social issues surrounding technologies such as Electronic Health Records, AI and robotics.

Lecture title: The NHS Digital Iliad

In her lecture, Kathrin framed the push for digital transformation in the NHS as an epic quest, drawing parallels with Homer’s Iliad. Exploring the tension between pursuing technological innovation and addressing fundamental infrastructure challenges, she highlighted the organisational and human factors that underpin successful digital change. Her lecture emphasised the importance of balancing ambition with long-term, collaborative approaches to transformation across health and care systems.

Professor Nazir Lone

Nazir Lone is Professor of Critical Care and Epidemiology and a Consultant in Critical Care. His research focuses on improving the quality and outcomes of acute and critical care, using epidemiological methods, linked data and AI-driven approaches. He leads work to understand multimorbidity in acute settings and long-term recovery after critical illness.

Lecture title: Better data, better care

Nazir’s lecture explored how better use of health data can improve care for people who become seriously ill. Alongside highlighting advances in critical care research, he reflected on the importance of education, equity, diversity and inclusion within academic medicine and healthcare. He also emphasised the vital role of teamwork in research and clinical practice, recognising the contributions of collaborators across disciplines and professional services teams.

Professor Susan Shenkin

Susan Shenkin is Professor of Healthcare for Older People and a clinical academic geriatrician who leads a portfolio of interdisciplinary research in healthcare for older people, particularly those living with delirium, dementia, frailty and other multiple long-term conditions. Her work focuses on considering the whole person rather than a single condition, and spans health and social care settings, particularly care homes.

Lecture title: Building bridges in health and social care

Susan’s lecture explored how to improve health and care for older people by working across the boundaries within and between health and social care systems. Reflecting on her interdisciplinary career, she highlighted the value of collaboration, relationship-building and person-centred approaches in addressing the complex challenges facing older people and those involved in their care.

Further information

Kathrin Cresswell | The University of Edinburgh

Nazir Lone | The University of Edinburgh

Susan Shenkin | The University of Edinburgh