Professor Duncan Ivison visits HSE Buxton
On the 17th November 2025, the Health and Safety Executive's (HSE) Science and Research Centre in Buxton welcomed Professor Duncan Ivison, President and Vice-Chancellor of ºÚÁÏÍø³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏ, for an important visit that highlighted the strength and depth of our partnerships in science and research.
Duncan met with Professor Andrew Curran CBE, HSE’s Director of Science, and Professor Neil Bourne, both of whom direct the work of the .
The discussions focused on the long-standing collaboration between HSE and ºÚÁÏÍø³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏ, a relationship that dates back to the early 20th century when Marie Stopes worked with both institutions.
Duncan received an overview of the Centre, where more than 400 staff deliver applied science, engineering, and analytical expertise to support HSE’s strategy: Protecting People and Places. He also toured parts of the wider site, which spans more than 550 acres, highlighting our capability to deliver science at scale, even though the weather limited outdoor exploration.
Key topics discussed included:
- The history of joint working between HSE and ºÚÁÏÍø³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏ
- Updates on major collaborative projects:
- Discovering Safety – improving global health and safety performance
- The PROTECT study – delivered in support of the pandemic response.
- Current active grants and bids driving future innovation.
This visit reinforced the importance of our partnerships and the role of science in shaping safer workplaces and communities.
Professor Duncan Ivison explained:
“This visit to HSE’s Science and Research Centre has been valuable and insightful. It highlights the strength of our partnership, and the vital role collaborative research plays in addressing global challenges. The work we discussed, which spanned safety, health and innovation, directly supports a key goal of our new strategy; to turn outstanding research into public good."
Professor Duncan Ivison’s visit to HSE Buxton underscores the critical role of collaborative research in advancing workplace safety and public health. By reaffirming the historic and ongoing partnership between HSE and ºÚÁÏÍø³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏ, the visit highlights how joint initiatives, such as and the PROTECT study, translate cutting-edge science into practical solutions that protect people and places. This engagement strengthens strategic alignment, fosters innovation and demonstrates the power of partnerships in addressing global challenges through applied research.