Professor Kay led the development and implementation of the Peninsula Dental School (the first new dental school for 40 years) which currently ranks 2/15 (Guardian league table 2017).
Her focus on primary care within dental education is internationally renowned. Her advice on dental education is often sought and highly respected. She is an inspiring clinical teacher and highly evaluated by students.
As an academic she is highly productive (over 150 papers and six books, £1.5m of research funding). Her research is of the highest standard and through this and also through her multiple external roles she influences policy in dental public health at regional and national level.
She works tirelessly to support others through editorial boards, journal refereeing and higher degree supervision. She is in great demand by external bodies (national and international) and works extensively with industry from which she passes all fee income to the support of research degree students rather than retaining it personally.
Her advocacy for women within higher education brings on the next generation of clinical educators and leaders. She pursues this work nationally, regionally and within Plymouth University where she sits on the University Athena Swan Committee and leads the PUPSMD Athena Swan Self-Assessment Team.
Her achievements have been recognised with a Fellowship Ad Eundem from the Faculty of General Dental Practice (UK), awarded in 2011, “as a mark of the contribution you have made to the profession. It is obvious for all to see that you have an exceptional enthusiasm for your profession, and a willingness to help others along their chosen path. Your tireless work and support for the dental practitioners to provide an improved quality of care for their patients is well known.”
Professor Kay holds a Mature Educator Certificate for Excellence in Dental Education awarded by the Association for Dental Education in Europe 2011, and she has achieved repeated personal recognition by the Advisory Council on Clinical Excellence Awards.
She supports the NHS and dental public health as a (shadow) governor for Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust and as a topic expert to NICE Public Health Advisory Committee. She is a specialist committee member on the oral health promotion in care homes and hospitals Quality Standards Advisory Committee at NICE. She is trustee of the British Dental Health Foundation and chair of the Shirley Glasstone Hughes Foundation Management Committee, which oversees the commissioning of funded research in dentistry.
Professor Kay works for women as a member of the Equality Challenge Unit’s Athena Swan Medical Practice committee on its judging panels, and for students as trustee and vice chair of the British Medical and Dental Students’ Trust. She has served the Advisory Council on Clinical Excellence Awards for eight years ensuring the effective representation in recognition of women.
Richard Crompton, chairman of Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “Liz brings with her a wealth of experience from the education sector and as a researcher. I am sure she will be a great addition to our board.”
Professor Kay will hold this post until September 2020.