Each year, the Frederick Price Lecture brings leading voices in medicine, science, and policy to Queen's. The topic of this year’s lecture was ‘Health, prosperity and democracy - a role for life sciences?’.

An Emeritus Professor of Surgery at University College London and Director of the Thrombosis Research Institute, Lord Kakkar’s contributions to science and medicine have had global impact - advancing both research and clinical practice in profound ways.

He has held several senior roles, including Chair of the Judicial Appointments Commission, Chair of King’s Health Partners, Chair of the Office for Strategic Co-ordination of Health Research, and Chair of the Board of the UK Biobank - institutions that sit at the intersection of health, governance, and national wellbeing.

Since his appointment to the House of Lords in 2010, Lord Kakkar has brought scientific rigour and clinical insight to the heart of public policy.

During the lecture, Lord Kakkar set out the argument that health, prosperity, and democracy are deeply intertwined and shaped by the insights he gained through his career as a clinician, researcher and a life peer within the House of Lords.

He also presented the case that life sciences is a vital, practical tool that can be used to strengthen all three. He highlighted the strength of Queen’s University Belfast health and life sciences teaching and research field, recognising the University’s contribution as an international leader within the field.

In 2023, Queen’s University awarded Lord Kakkar a Doctor of Medical Science for distinction in medicine in recognition of his contribution to improving healthcare for public service.

He is also currently supporting staff and students from the University’s School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences in the development of its radiotherapy research.

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Media inquiries to Sian Devlin at s.devlin@qub.ac.uk