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A new Director has been appointed to run the Medical Research Council’s Institute of Hearing Research (IHR) at The University of Nottingham.
Dr Michael Akeroyd is currently the Scottish Director of the MRC/CSO IHR Scottish Section in Glasgow, where he has been for the past seven years. As Section Director, he is responsible for scientific work and recently led the move into new state-of-the-art laboratories.
Dr Akeroyd has over 60 peer-reviewed papers in hearing research focusing on auditory impairment and disability, hearing aids and spatial hearing.
World-leading research
The MRC Institute of Hearing Research was founded in 1977. The Nottingham and Glasgow sites conduct world-leading research into hearing and hearing disorders and are the MRC’s largest investment in hearing science. The work of the Institute covers the full dimension of auditory science, from fundamental neuroanatomy to the quality of life experienced by a patient.
Dr Akeroyd said on his appointment: “The MRC Institute of Hearing Research delivers world-class interdisciplinary research on hearing.
“I am very honoured to be given the opportunity to lead the Institute’s work. I look forward to championing our exciting and innovative future research that will deliver the next generation of improvements in hearing health care.”
Importance of spatial hearing
Professor Sir John Savill, Chief Executive of the MRC, said, “The Medical Research Council is delighted to announce that Dr Michael Akeroyd will be the next Director of the MRC Institute of Hearing Research (IHR) at The University of Nottingham.
“Dr Michael Akeroyd is already part of the MRC family, having served as Director of the Scottish Section of the IHR in Glasgow for the past seven years. His work there has addressed the personal consequences of hearing loss, and on the effects and importance of spatial hearing.
“This appointment will make sure that the interdisciplinary research on hearing carried out at the IHR — the MRC’s largest investment in hearing science — will continue to translate excellent discovery science, in partnership with the NIHR Biomedical Research Unit, into applications that deliver real benefit to the 8-10 million people in the UK suffering from hearing loss.”
Professor Sir David Greenaway, Vice-Chancellor at The University of Nottingham, said: “The appointment of Dr Akeroyd to the IHR at Nottingham is a real bonus for us as an institution. His extensive experience and expertise will complement the world-leading research which is already taking place there. We look forward to welcoming him to the team.”
Dr Akeroyd will take up his post in April 2015.
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