
Professor Shakila Thangaratinam has been appointed as the new Dean of the Institute of Life Course and Medical Sciences (ILCAMS), succeeding Professor Peter Clegg.
Professor Thangaratinam is a clinical academic, NIHR Senior Investigator, and Vice President (International) elect of the Academy of Medical Sciences, with a nationally and globally recognised research portfolio. Her leadership experience spans Higher Education Institutions and the NHS, with expertise in capacity building, teaching and mentoring, industry engagement, and outreach.
Previously, Professor Thangaratinam established and led two WHO Collaborating Centres for Women’s Health - first in London and then in Birmingham - and founded the Barts Research Centre for Women’s Health (BARC, London), and led women’s health themes within NIHR BRC and Patient Safety Research Centres in Birmingham.
She now leads large-scale, interdisciplinary collaborative networks funded by MRC, NIHR, WHO, NHMRC (Australia), securing over £70M in research income and engaging partners across more than 40 countries. Her research is widely cited in shaping national and global guidelines, including on Covid-19 in pregnancy, gestational diabetes, and epilepsy in pregnancy.
Professor Thangaratinam said:
“I am deeply honoured to be appointed as the Dean of ILCAMS.
With two Schools educating the doctors and dentists of the future, and departments conducting world-class research spanning cells to societal health across the life course, ILCAMS is strongly positioned to address the health challenges of the future.
I look forward to working with teams and individuals within the Institute, Faculty, University and our wider partners to realise our Liverpool 2031 strategic ambitions.”
Professor Louise Kenny, Pro-Vice-Chancellor of the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, said:
“Shakila is an internationally renowned clinical academic working in women’s health. She brings a wealth of insight and significant experience across both the HEI sector and NHS to the institute at this critical time.
I know I speak for the entire Faculty Leadership Team when I say that we are looking forward to welcoming Shakila to our team and working with her at this challenging time for the sector.
I’d also like to thank Professor Pete Clegg, the founding Dean of ILCAMS, for his outstanding leadership of the institute over the last 5 years and wish him well on his next adventure.”
Professor Thangaratinam commenced her role on 1 August 2025, for a five-year term.