Initial funding for the institute (originally known as the Wolfson Research Institute for Health, Medicine and the Environment) came from the Wolfson Foundation with a £4 million grant in 1999.[2] A further £3.5 million was provided by the European Regional Development Fund towards the overall building cost of £10 million. Construction began in 2001, with the building housing offices and wet laboratories.[3] The institute was formally opened on 17 June 2002 by Baroness Susan Greenfield.[4]
The first director of the institute was Professor Charlie Heywood of the Department of Psychology. He was followed by Professor Ray Hudson of the Department of Geography and then Professor Tim Blackman of the School of Applied Social Sciences. Professor Blackman was succeeded by Professor Clare Bambra of the Department of Geography (2011), and then Professor Jan Illing of the School of Medicine Pharmacy and Health took over as Interim director (2014). Professor Illing was succeeded by Professor Ian Greener (2015) from the School of Applied Social Sciences. The current Executive Director (since 2016) is Professor Amanda Ellison of the Psychology Department.
Notable research
In 2007, research at the institution found that implementation of the Disability Discrimination Act, intended to reduce discrimination against disabled people, had actually had the effect of reducing employment of disabled people. This effect was concentrated on the least skilled occupational sectors, with no significant decrease being seen in professional occupations.[5]
In 2010, a review by the institute of ten independent studies found that workers who have more control over their working hours through flexible working policies are better rested and less stressed, leading to better health.[6]
In 2013, analysis by the institute of the plans for resource allocation within NHS England found that the plans would decrease spending in poorer areas with worse health outcomes and increase spending in richer, healthier areas. According to academics from the institute quoted in the national press, this would "undermine the principle of 'equal opportunity of access for equal need'".[7]
In 2014, research by the institute in collaboration with the universities of Liverpool, West of Scotland, Glasgow and Edinburgh found that rising inequality, unemployment, welfare cuts and housing policies under the government of Margaret Thatcher caused 30,000 premature deaths and led to lasting regional disparities in health and life expectancy.[8][9]