ProfessorJamesBarlow

My current research includes a project funded by Gatsby Foundation on R&D productivity in the UK pharmaceutical sector and work on 'repurposing' drugs as a pharmaceutical industry innovation strategy. I am also involved in research with Halmstad University, Sweden, on the introduction of AI into healthcare and on aligning institutional logics held by digital health start-ups, funders, and healthcare organisations.  Other recent work includes research on the product development process for gene edited mosquitoes for malaria control and a work package for a major review of the UK's antimicrobial resistance strategy.

Gatsby Foundation

The Centre for Sectoral Economic Performance began work in January 2024, backed by £29 million in philanthropic support from the Gatsby Charitable Foundation. I am acting co-director of the Centre, with Professor Robert Shorten from the Faculty of Engineering.The Centre is a joint initiative between Imperial College Business School and the Faculty of Engineering. It will explore how to ensure the UK’s high-value industries in engineering, life sciences and data science are globally competitive.

I am a co-investigator on the new HealthTech Research Centre on diagnostics led by Professor George Hanna, recently ward £3 million by the NIHR. As well as supporting the development of innovations to address pressing healthcare challenges, the Centre will work with small and medium sized medtech enterprises to help them bring their products to market faster.

I have been involved in numerous research projects as principal or co-investigator; funders include ESRC (7 projects), EPSRC (4), Joseph Rowntree Foundation (7), Gatsby Charitable Foundation (1), Department of Health (3), National Institute for Health Research (2), Department of the Environment (5), Department of Trade and Industry (2), Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (1).

I have led or been a co-investigator in several large research centres, notably:

Centre for Sectoral Economic Performance. Acting co-director. Funded by Gatsby Charitable Foundation (2024 -).

Health and Care Infrastructure Research and Innovation Centre (HaCIRIC). Principal investigator / director. Funded by EPSRC under the IMRC programme (2006-2013).

Built Environment Innovation Centre. Co-investigator / co-director. Funded by EPSRC (IMRC programme) (2003-2008).

NIHR Health Tech Research Centre. Co-investigator. Funded by National Institute for Health and Care Research (2023 - ).

Policy Innovation Research Unit (PIRU). Co-investigator. Funded by Department of Health (2011-2022).

NIHR London In-Vitro Diagnostics Centre. Co-investigator. Funded by National Institute for Health and Care Research (2013-2018).

Collaboration for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care (CLAHRC). Co-investigator. Funded by National Institute for Health and Care Research (2008-2016).

I have extensive experience advising government bodies on healthcare innovation issues, both in the UK and internationally, and have been a member of expert panels on healthcare innovation for the Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Health, European Commission, the Royal Society, the King’s Fund and other bodies.

I led inquiries into the uptake and spread of innovation in the NHS for the Policy Exchange and into the evidence base for telehealth for the Department of Health, which helped shape policy in this area. I was responsible for a foresight project on future technology needs for an ageing population for the Department of Trade and Industry. I have given evidence on public-private partnerships before the Treasury Select Committee and evidence on healthcare innovation issues to other Parliamentary Committees.

I work closely with business across the healthcare technology sector, from start-ups to major global companies. This includes consultancy and advisory board membership.

Prior to concentrating on healthcare innovation, my consulting and advisory work focused on housing and construction industry issues. This includes work on mass customisation in housebuilding, the management processes involved in construction industry partnering, and leading a Department of Trade and Industry scientific mission to Japan on innovation in housebuilding. My research for the Department of the Environment during the 1990s still underpins some current planning policy for affordable housing in the UK.