Our Academic Champion

Academic Champion for PCER

Professor Anneke Lucassen

Anneke studied Medicine at the university of Newcastle-upon-Tyne and came to Oxford for her junior doctor training. She subsequently did a DPhil, mapping some of the molecular genetic factors important in diabetes. This spurred her interest in thinking about how best to translate research discoveries into practical clinical treatments. She also recognised the importance of addressing ethical, legal, and social issues around genetics, and this became a major focus of her work.

While working at the University of Southampton, she established a research group that addressed how genetic breakthroughs can best be implemented into healthcare. She also co-led a theme within the Southampton NIHR Biomedical Research Centre.

In 2021, Anneke returned to Oxford as Director of the Centre for Personalised Medicine, and Professor of Genomic Medicine within the Medical Sciences Division. She leads a programme of research that addresses what needs to happen to ensure the benefits of genomic discovery have direct relevance to patients and society. Her expertise in integrating community engagement into multidisciplinary translational research and ethics makes her an excellent advocate for responsible engagement at the University.

Anneke has played a key role in shaping national health policies around genetics and genomics. She is, or has been, a member of bodies such as the Human Genetics Commission, the Nuffield Council on Bioethics, Genomics England Ethics Advisory committee. She chaired the British Society for Genetic Medicine; UK Biobank Ethics Advisory Committee; and the Joint Committee of Genomic Medicine.

Anneke will chair the Public and Community Engagement with Research Advisory Board and launch our 2024-2029 strategy.

For general inquiries about public and community engagement with research at Oxford, please contact the central PCER team in the first instance.