Jennifer E. Gallagher (Jenny), Newland-Pedley professor of oral health strategy at King’s College London and honorary consultant in dental public health, has been elected to serve as vice-president of the International Association for Dental, Oral and Craniofacial Research (IADR), the global organisation supporting ‘oral health for the world’ through discovery and dissemination of dental oral and craniofacial research.
Her term will commence at the conclusion of the General Session of the IADR, in March 2024, leading up to a presidential role in 2026/27. With an extensive international and global relations background, Jenny is concluding a successful term as the dean for international affairs at the Faculty of Dentistry, Oral and Craniofacial Sciences at King’s College and will continue to act as an ambassador for international engagement and service for the university.
On the election, Jenny said, “I am absolutely delighted to have been elected as Vice-President of IADR by the global research community for dental, oral and craniofacial sciences. I look forward to taking up this position in March 2024 and serving the association and its mission.”
A member of the IADR for over 20 years, Professor Gallagher has been actively involved in the Association. Jenny added, “My first attendances at IADR (British Division) were as a postgraduate student, and it was an amazing experience to connect with, listen to and learn from esteemed researchers.
“This is an exciting time for global oral health research. IADR will play an effective role in driving and celebrating scientific excellence in dental, oral and craniofacial research to benefit health and well-being worldwide, just as it has done for over a century.”
Her vision is that the IADR will actively collaborate and help develop researchers in all countries of the globe, who will contribute to the research agenda and gain credit for it, expanding the membership of the pivotal organisation and building our scientific community and scientific excellence with social responsibility.
“One of the challenges to researchers in high-income countries in particular is that many have received funding, credit and kudos for research conducted in lower-income countries, and the benefits are frequently unequal. This will take time and deliberate action to build more equitable working with key actors along the way,” Jenny commented.
Michael Escudier, a professor and executive dean of the Faculty of Dentistry, Oral and Craniofacial Sciences at King’s College London, said, “I am delighted that Jenny has been elected as VP of the IADR. She is an excellent choice, and her experience as a global ambassador for King’s College London will serve the association well.”