Started in 2014, the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Award recognises exceptional achievements in knowledge and innovation, which have contributed to the advancement of science and positively impacted societies and humanity
Congratulations to Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust (OHFT) non-clinical director Professor David M Clark (CBE) and OH BRC Co-Theme Lead for Psychological Treatments Professor Anke Ehlers, who have both been recognised at the 2024 awards ceremony in Dubai.
Professor Anke Ehlers is Co-Director and Professor of Experimental Psychopathology at the Oxford Centre for Anxiety Disorders and Trauma.
David is NHS England’s Clinical and Informatics Advisor for NHS Talking Therapies for Anxiety and Depression, Emeritus Professor of Experimental Psychology at the University of Oxford and honorary member of the Oxford Centre for Anxiety Disorders and Trauma which is run by Oxford Health in partnership with the University of Oxford under the umbrella of OH BRC.
They are both well known for their pioneering work on the understanding and psychological treatment of anxiety disorder. Their work to develop treatments for anxiety has been with people who use OHFT mental health services locally.
Anke said:”This is the first time the award has been given for work in mental health. We understand it recognises our joint work in creating NICE recommended first line treatments for social anxiety disorder, panic disorder and PTSD, along with more efficient digital versions. In addition, it was made clear that it also recognises David Clark’s work on the development of the NHS Talking Therapies programme and in supporting the development of similar services in 7 other countries.”
David said: “It is really heartening to see Oxford work in mental health receive such international recognition. Most of the treatment development work was done with Oxford Health patients.”
The other 2024 winners are Andrew Ng (artificial intelligence and Google Brain), Ahmed Eid Khamis Thani Almheiri (theoretical physics) and Juma Al Masjid (preservation and use of historical documents).
