Pictured above: Professor Jackie Campbell

Professor Jackie Campbell, School of Health, has been unveiled as the recipient of a rare and highly coveted Honorary Fellowship from the British Association and College of Occupational Therapists - the highest honour the College can bestow on a member.

The Professor of Neurophysiology at The University of Northampton, who is also a freelance health research consultant and chartered statistician, was surprised with the award this month in recognition of the exceptional contribution she has made to the profession as an advocate of occupational therapy, especially within the field of research.

"It was a complete and unexpected surprise," said Professor Campbell, who will now be able to add the letters 'FCOT' after her name. "I have been working in the healthcare sector of higher education since 1987 and I guess I am a bit of weird mix -a chartered physicist, a neurophysiologist and a chartered statistician rolled into one. My problem is I simply can't say no when someone asks if I'm interested in helping!"

Professor Campbell, whose first degree was in Physics, also acts as a part- time Research Adviser for the Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists and is an adviser and Board Member of the National Institute for Health Research. 

She initially worked in the field of medicine and healthcare as a researcher into the processes of pain and pain relief at the Walton Hospital in Liverpool.

"That experience means I'm certainly much better at going to the dentist now," joked Professor Campbell, who will attend an awards ceremony in the summer to officially accept her fellowship title. "Early on in my career, when I was researching pain mechanisms we would end up doing hands on pain research on ourselves. Some days I would find myself electrically stimulating my own teeth, all in the name of research!"

Professor Campbell, who lives in the Northamptonshire village of Middleton, has wide-ranging research interests and experience but is particularly involved in research in the professions allied to medicine, especially podiatry and occupational therapy. Until recently she was Chair of the Research Forum for Allied Health Professions and is also a Board Member of the Nordoff-Robbins music therapy charity.

She is also closely involved in the Clinical Academic Training Pathway, a research award scheme for nurses, midwives and health professionals run by the Department of Health's National Institute for Health Research.

Naomi Hankinson, Chairman of Council for the British Association and College of Occupational Therapists, said: "Professor Jackie Campbell has made an outstanding contribution to Occupational Therapy and thoroughly deserves this award. She has been instrumental in setting up the United Kingdom Occupational Research Foundation, providing valuable expertise in qualitative methodologies and statistical analysis throughout her three years on the Foundation's Advisory Board from 2008-10.

"Her energy and commitment have ensured that the funds available for members research have been invested in high quality research projects which will contribute to a much needed evidence base for occupational therapy. We look forward to presenting Professor Campbell with her award at our Annual Conference in June."