Professor Roz Shafran wins award for contribution to mental health
Thursday, 17 November 2011
Professor Roz Shafran, School of Psychology and Clinical Language Science
Professor Roz Shafran, from the School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciencez has won a national award for her innovative research helping people with mental health problems.
Professor Shafran received the Marsh Award for Mental Health Work 2011 on Saturday 12 November, hosted at the National Member's day of mental health charity Rethink Mental Illness, for her contribution to the field of mental health research.
The award, run in a partnership between Rethink and the Marsh Christian Trust, is presented annually and recognises an outstanding contribution by an individual working or volunteering in the field of mental health. The award focuses on the clinical implications of research.
Professor Shafran is a leading academic in her field, working within the School of Psychology and Clinical Language Science and as founder and co-director of the Charlie Waller Institute of Evidence Based Psychological Treatment, at the University.
Her work has included studies of the understanding and treatment of eating disorders and obsessive compulsive disorder.
One piece of work highlighted by Rethink's judges was a study in which she identified a common thinking problem in people with obsessive compulsive disorder, relating to magical or superstitious thinking, called ‘Thought Action Fusion'. With colleagues, she developed a measure to make it easier to detect.
Professor Shafran said: "I am delighted and honoured to receive such an award. It means a great deal since the main purpose of my research has always been to try to improve the lives of people who suffer from mental health problems. To have some indication that this goal has been achieved is fantastic."
Nominations for the award were open this summer. The nominees were then shortlisted by Rethink's service user and carer research panel, before the final winner was chosen by the award's funder, the Marsh Christian Trust, both of whom highlighted Professor Shafran's excellent work.
Professor Shafran is giving a Public Lecture entitled 'Managing our mind' on Wednesday 22 February at 8pm. This talk will examine the scientific rationale underpinning the understanding and treatment of common mental health problems and discuss the best evidence for the associated therapeutic interventions such as cognitive therapy.