A NEW Director of Research has been appointed for Bradford’s £4.7m research centre – set up to focus on improving poor health in the District.

Bradford was recently granted the cash to create a new research centre to find innovative ways to tackle the issue.

Ellen Flint has been appointed as Director of Research, and her role will be to oversee vital research into the multiple causes of poor health on individuals and communities, such as air quality, diet and nutrition, access to green spaces and leisure facilities.

The findings of such research will be used to influence decision makers and shape future public health policy.

Ellen Flint brings to HDRC a wealth of experience, having previously worked in Central Government where she led the work and health research and analysis programme across the Department for Health and Social Care and the Department for Work and Pensions.

She said; “I’m thrilled and honoured to be joining Team Bradford at such an exciting time for the city.

“There is nothing more important than improving life chances and reducing health inequalities.

“To do this we need to generate and use the best evidence about what works to create lasting change.”

Kersten England, Chief Executive of Bradford Council said: “The successful grant funding from the NIHR to establish a health determinants research collaboration was such a huge win for the district as the kind of in-depth, wide-ranging research it will conduct is crucial to gaining a deeper understanding the causes and effects of poor health in our district.”