Professor Chris Hopkins, Consultant Clinical Scientist and Clinical Director of the Assistive Technologies Innovation Centre (ATiC) at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD), has been elected as a Fellow of the Learned Society of Wales (FLSW), the nation’s foremost scholarly academy.
The Fellowship recognises Professor Hopkins’ significant contributions to healthcare science, healthcare innovation, and academic leadership in Wales.
Professor Hopkins is a Consultant Clinical Scientist and an Honorary Professor in both the University of Wales Trinity Saint David and the Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Science at Swansea University. He is currently President Elect of the UK Academy for Healthcare Science, Head of TriTech & Innovation at Hywel Dda University Health Board and Clinical Director at the Assistive Technologies and Innovation Centre, University of Wales Trinity Saint David.
He holds fellowships from both the Academy for Healthcare Science (AHCS) and the Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine (IPEM). He is a Chartered Scientist and Chartered Engineer, and plays key advisory roles as a member of the MHRA expert advisory committee and the Health Technology Wales appraisal panel. Additionally, he is Deputy Director of the Science, Technology, Engineering, Research and Innovation Council at IPEM.
His contributions to healthcare science have been recognised nationally, including being awarded the Excellence in Healthcare Science Research and Innovation Award at the NHS England Chief Scientific Officer’s Excellence in Healthcare Science Awards 2022.
Within ATiC, Chris is actively engaged in translational research and real-world evaluations of medical technologies and clinical pathways through collaborations with Higher Education Institutions across Wales and the UK. Working with multidisciplinary teams of professionals from NHS, academia, and industry he champions innovation, inclusivity, and diversity in healthcare science, firmly believing these values are critical to the field’s ongoing advancement.
In congratulating Professor Hopkins on his Fellowship of the Learning Society of Wales, Professor Elwen Evans, Vice-Chancellor of UWTSD said: “Becoming a Fellow of the Learned Society is a public recognition of excellence and Professor Hopkins’ outstanding contribution to healthcare science. We are delighted to benefit from Chris’ expertise as part of our ATiC team. As the Clinical Director his expertise enhances the team’s unique approach, which blends user-centred design research with advanced physiological measurement tools to better understand people’s needs and performance as they interact with physical and digital healthcare products, services, systems, and environments. The collaboration between the University and the healthcare sectors aim to deliver real benefits and better outcomes for patients as well as drive economic growth”.
