Professor Helen Griffiths

Professor Emerita, Swansea University

Helen Griffiths became Professor Emerita at Swansea University in April 2026 having previously served as Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research and Innovation from 2020.

She was elected a Fellow of the Learned Society of Wales in 2021 and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Biology in 2011.

Her research into the roles of reactive oxygen species in health ageing and inflammatory and degenerative diseases has been recognised with prizes from the Glenn Foundation (2014) Aston University (2009) and the Catherine Pasquier Prize for Free Radical Research SFRR Europe (2004).

Among her achievements, Helen is most proud of supervising more than 30 research students to the successful completion of their higher degrees.

She has held academic posts at Birmingham University, Leicester University, Aston University and the University of Surrey and has also served in senior leadership roles including PVC International at Aston University and Executive Dean of the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences at Surrey.

Helen is passionate about creating environments where research and researchers can thrive championing collaboration and ensuring that community voices are heard and valued.

She served on the UK REF2021 Unit of Assessment Subpanel 3 and will contribute again as a Subpanel 3 member for REF2029.