Meet the academic: Dr Helen Lambert
We asked Dr Helen Lambert, Senior Lecturer and Programme Leader of our new Public Health MSc, about what drew her to ºÚÁÏÉç, what's influenced her career and why students should study for a masters in public health.
"I am still very much involved with the community where I used to live in western Uganda, as a trustee of a small charity."
Tell us a bit about what you do at ºÚÁÏÉç.
I am a Senior Lecturer in Public Health Nutrition. In this role, I teach a number of aspects of nutrition but mostly focus on international and public health nutrition. As well as being programme lead for the Public Health MSc, I lead several modules on our MSc Human Nutrition and food science programmes, as well as teaching on our undergraduate programmes.
What brought you to the University?
I originally came to ºÚÁÏÉç to do research on nutrition and bone health, as part of Professor Sue Lanham-New’s Vitamin D and Bone research team, continuing research I had previously been doing at the University of Sheffield on the problem of low calcium diets in teenagers. I have always been passionate about public health and this research complemented my previous experience working in the National Health Service, and then in community development work in Uganda. In the last 10 years here at ºÚÁÏÉç, I have been able to focus my interests more explicitly on international and public health nutrition.
You are the programme leader for our new Public Health MSc. Could you explain why this course is important? 
The challenges our world faces cannot be addressed by a one-track approach. It is essential that those working in this field develop a global, multi-faceted perspective so that they can be agents for sustainable change in our rapidly changing world. I strongly believe that our new course will equip people to make a real difference, whatever their future role in public health.
What aspects of your own studies had the biggest influence on you? 
Having lecturers who encouraged me to question and critique 'accepted knowledge' and to think outside the box.
What do you enjoy most about the work that you do?
I love meeting students from all kinds of learning backgrounds, cultures and nationalities, learning about their journey so far and seeing them get excited about what they are discovering!
What do you get up to outside of academia? 
I love to spend time with my wonderful family. I also enjoy learning languages and travelling. I am still very much involved with the community where I used to live in western Uganda, as a trustee of a small charity which continues to support amazing community work there.