Introducing our new Heads of Teaching Departments

The Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine is delighted to announce the appointment of Dr Susan Duty as Head of the Department Pharmacology & Therapeutics; and Dr Sukhi Bansal as Head of the Department of Pharmacy & Forensic Science, effective from 1 August 2018.

Professor Sue Brain and Professor Peter Hylands will be stepping down from the positions after having served their terms as the Head of Pharmacology & Therapeutics and the Head of Pharmacy & Forensic Science respectively. Both have made immense contributions to education within their departments, across the Faculty, university and beyond. They will be difficult acts to follow.

Susan is currently a Reader in Pharmacology & Neuroscience within the Wolfson Centre for Age-Related Diseases whilst Sukhi is a reader in Chemical Biology within the School of Cancer & Pharmaceutical Sciences.

Both have strong visions for improving their respective departments and a wealth of experience that will enable them to thrive despite significant challenges faced within in the English higher education system, from the imminent introduction of the subject-level teaching excellence framework to the forthcoming review of student funding.

Speaking about her ambitions Susan said: 'I understand the challenges our staff face in balancing the need for research time alongside their education contribution. However, I believe both are inextricably linked and indeed symbiotic.' 'My vision is to harmonise research and teaching wherever possible.'

Sukhi recognises that the Pharmacy landscape is rapidly changing and the impact of internet Pharmacy is likely to result in a more clinical role for the pharmacist. One of his ambitions is to improve upon the already successful MPHARM course to 'produce a more clinical course suited to pharmacists of the future'.