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29 July 2025

Professor James Galloway appointed as Versus Arthritis Endowed Chair

Professor James Galloway from the School of Immunology & Microbial Sciences at King’s College London has been announced as the new Versus Arthritis Endowed Chair.

Professor James Galloway

Professor Galloway is Professor of Rheumatology and a leading researcher in the field of inflammatory autoimmune diseases. His work focuses on leveraging big data and data science approaches to understand disease mechanisms, treatment responses, and healthcare delivery. He co-directs the Centre for Rheumatic Diseases in the School of Immunology & Microbial Sciences at King’s, alongside Professor Andrew Cope.

He is also an Honorary Consultant Rheumatologist at King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and has a strong clinical interest in inflammatory arthritis and rare diseases.

When I was offered the position of Versus Arthritis Endowed Chair, I felt enormously privileged. I will use this position to advance both research and clinical practice, and I very much look forward to being an ambassador for Versus Arthritis and working even more closely with them in the future.

Professor James Galloway

Versus Arthritis is the UK’s largest charity supporting people with arthritis. As well as providing information, support and services for people affected by arthritis and other musculoskeletal conditions across the UK, the charity funds research to accelerate treatment breakthroughs and improve the lives of people with arthritis. The charity also trains healthcare professionals in identifying and managing these conditions through an active UK-wide programme.

Professor Galloway has had a long relationship with Versus Arthritis, stretching back to when he attended research workshops hosted by what was then the Arthritis Research Campaign. That experience was his first exposure to academia and was pivotal in steering him towards a career in academic medicine, he recalls. He went on to complete his PhD in the Versus Arthritis funded Epidemiology Unit at the University of Manchester.

Caroline Aylott, Head of Research Delivery at Versus Arthritis, said:

“We are delighted to announce Professor James Galloway as our new Versus Arthritis Endowed Chair at King’s College London, recognising his remarkable work to improve the lives of people with inflammatory arthritis as we journey towards a cure.

“He has played a pivotal role in aiding our understanding of the epidemiology and improvement of health outcomes in inflammatory autoimmune diseases and used his research to drive real-world change to improve standards in treatment and care.

“Through this prestigious position, we look forward to supporting him in his vision and dedication to build on his already impressive volume of research evaluating and improving the quality of care for people with rheumatoid arthritis.”

Professor Leonie Taams, Head of the School for Immunology & Microbial Sciences at King’s, said: “King’s College London and its clinical partners have a very rich history in rheumatology research, education and clinical excellence. The support from Versus Arthritis has been instrumental in building a fantastic team where students, scientists, health professionals and patient partners collaborate towards better treatment and mechanistic understanding of rheumatic diseases. I am therefore delighted that Professor James Galloway has been appointed as the Versus Arthritis endowed Chair in our School and very much look forward to working with James and the charity to continue to deliver on this mission.”

Professor Ajay Shah, Executive Dean of the Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine at King’s, said: “Our Faculty vision is to improve human health both locally and globally through advances in scientific and medical research. Professor Galloway is already helping us to achieve this through both his research on inflammatory autoimmune diseases and his clinical practice. The generous support of Versus Arthritis will allow him to further increase the positive impact of his work for patients.”

In this story

James Galloway

Professor of Rheumatology

Leonie Taams

Head of the School of Immunology & Microbial Sciences

Ajay Shah

Executive Dean, Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine