Laboratories in Biomedical and Life Sciences

About Us

A unique blend of biomedical, medical, and social science expertise.

Jo Rycroft-Malone with brown wavy hair, glasses smiling.
Professor Jo Rycroft-Malone OBE - Executive Dean, Faculty of Health and Medicine

Welcome

As the Dean, I am delighted to introduce the Faculty of Health and Medicine at Lancaster University.

We offer undergraduate courses in medicine and in biomedical and life sciences, taught and research-based postgraduate programmes, opportunities for doctoral research, including professional doctorates, and a wide range of options for continuing professional development.

Our staff are very committed to teaching – and this is regularly borne out by the level of satisfaction expressed by students in the National Student Survey.

The Faculty is committed to pursuing world class research. It brings together biomedical, medical, and social science researchers to tackle key challenges of the 21st Century within health and medicine.

Ranked third in our field in the 2014 Research Assessment Framework on the 'intensity weighted' score, equal first in 'research environment' and in the top 10 for 'research power', the Faculty offers an ideal academic environment to study or to develop your research career.

Our high quality research and our commitment to teaching and to working with the health and care sectors means that the Faculty is influencing practice and thinking across a broad spectrum – for example:

  • how best to support people as they age and reach the end of their lives
  • interventions to address serious mental illness
  • how health inequalities can be addressed
  • how best to model the spread of communicable disease
  • improving our understanding of infections that have huge global impact

The Faculty was proud to achieve an Athena Swan Bronze Award (operated by The Equality Challenge Unit) in 2012 and the Athena Swan Silver Award in 2014.

If you are interested in working or studying with us, this website offers further information about what we do, or call +44 (0)1524 593169.

Professor Jo Rycroft-Malone

Dean, Faculty of Health and Medicine

Contact us

News and events

Events

15th Dec

DSI Health Theme Lunchtime Invitation

Monday 15 December 2025, 1:00pm to 3:00pm
17th Dec

Could the future of public service reform in England be relational and equitable?: learning from three research projects by Lancaster University researchers

Wednesday 17 December 2025, 1:00pm to 3:00pm

More Events

Some of the human teeth from the 1907-1912 Dog Holes, Warton dig, which were scanned by Lancaster University as part of the project

Museum exhibition reveals how science unlocks secrets of the past

Archaeology and cutting-edge science have come together to unlock secrets and rewrite stories of the Lancaster district’s ancient past.
People used the forums for emotional support, advice, and to connect with others who have similar struggles

Improving online mental health forums in the UK

A range of tools to help improve online mental health forums has been developed by Lancaster University researchers after working with forum moderators and users.   
from left: Alastair Richards, CEO of North West Cancer Research, Dr Chris Gaffney, Mrs Motivator, Research Associate Katie Hoad, local MP Cat Smith and Dr Helen Nuttall with Mr Motivator

How Mr Motivator is helping cancer patients prepare for treatment

Celebrity Health and Wellbeing Coach Mr Motivator has filmed videos for the NHS to help cancer patients prepare for surgery through exercising at home.
The regional economic divide between the North and the South has increased since 2018

Poor health in the North costing the UK billions in lost productivity

Closing the health gap between the North and the rest of England could put an extra £18.4 billion into the economy per year according to new research. 
Blackpool has the highest rate of drug-related deaths in England

Lancaster involved in first clinical trial to tackle street benzodiazepine use

The launch of a clinical trial to tackle street benzodiazepine use has been welcomed by the Drugs and Alcohol Policy Minister for Scotland Maree Todd.
Dr Lisa Ashmore with her award

UK Radiography Professional of the Year award for researcher

A Lancaster Medical School researcher has been awarded the title of UK Radiography Professional of the Year.

More News

Athena SWAN

Since 2014, the Faculty of Health and Medicine has held the Athena SWAN Silver Award, recognising our commitment to advancing the careers of women in higher education and research.

Athena SWAN