Her term will commence at the conclusion of the General Session of the IADR, in March 2024, leading up to a presidential role in 2026/27. With an extensive background in international and global relations, Professor Gallagher is concluding a successful term as the Dean for International Affairs at the Faculty of Dentistry, Oral & Craniofacial Sciences at King’s, and will continue to act as an Ambassador for International, Engagement & Service for the University.

A member of the IADR for over 20 years, Professor Gallagher has been actively involved in the Association. “My first attendances at IADR (British Division) were as a postgraduate student and it was an amazing experience to connect with, listen to and learn from, esteemed researchers.”

“This is an exciting time for global oral health research. IADR will play an effective role in driving and celebrating scientific excellence in dental, oral and craniofacial research, to benefit health and well-being worldwide, just as it has done for over a century,” she says.

Her vision is that the IADR will actively collaborate and help develop researchers in all countries of the globe, who will contribute to the research agenda and gain credit for it, expanding the membership of the pivotal organisation and building our scientific community and scientific excellence with social responsibility.

“One of the challenges to researchers in high income countries in particular is that many have received funding, credit and kudos for research conducted in lower income countries and the benefits are frequently unequal. This will take time and deliberate action, to build more equitable working with key actors along the way.”

Professor Gallagher graduated from Queen’s University Belfast in 1984, working in hospital, community, and general dental services before pursuing clinical academic training in Dental Public Health at King’s College London. As a specialist, she is an honorary consultant in Dental Public Health within King’s Health Partners. Past roles include working with the Department of Health & Social Care and Public Health England. She was academic lead for the fourth version of Delivering better oral health: an evidence-based toolkit for prevention - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) (version 4) and works with the World Health Organization bringing her expertise on the global oral health workforce to the global stage The Global Status Report on Oral Health 2022 (who.int).

About the IADR

The IADR is a nonprofit organisation with a mission to drive dental, oral and craniofacial research for health and well-being worldwide.

It has expanded its name from the International Association for Dental Research to reflect its remit in dental, oral and craniofacial research.