The University of Cambridge is pleased to announce the appointment of Professor Tim Dalgleish as the inaugural Dawson Professor of Young People’s Mental Health, based in the Department of Psychology, in the School of Biological Sciences. This new post was established through a generous gift by philanthropists Christina and Peter Dawson.
Professor Dalgleish is an eminent cognitive neuroscientist and clinical psychologist whose research focuses on improving how we understand and treat mood, anxiety, and stress-related disorders. He is particularly committed to translating scientific insights into practical tools and therapies that support the mental health of children, young people, and adults.
Professor Dalgleish was the Programme Lead for the Cognition, Emotion and Mental Health Programme at the MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit, and Director of the Cambridge Centre for Affective Disorders (C2:AD)—a partnership between the MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit, Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust, and the University of Cambridge.
His work has contributed to new NICE guidance for the prevention of adult depression, for collaborative care for treatment-resistant depression, and on the use of cognitive therapy for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in children and young people.
Professor Dalgleish said:
It is a tremendous honour and privilege to be appointed to the inaugural Dawson Professorship and to be joining the Department of Psychology and St Catharine's College. I am profoundly grateful to the Dawsons for their philanthropy and their deep and sincere commitment to the mental health of young people. I am looking forward to working with new colleagues in the Department and across the University to develop and enhance preventions and interventions that can improve the lives of children and adolescents struggling with mental health problems.
Mental health is a focus research topic for the School of Biological Sciences, and our Mental Health Research Network is leading efforts in this area. This Network brings together interdisciplinary expertise spanning genetics, immunology, pharmacology, metabolic science, neuroscience, and psychology, working collaboratively with clinicians, Public Health professionals and lived experience partners to drive fundamental discoveries that can be translated into new clinical practice.
Professor Rebecca Lawson, Deputy Head of School of Biological Sciences for Research Strategy, said:
Tim has an outstanding track record in mental health research, particularly in mood, anxiety and stress disorders in children and adolescents. Throughout his career, he has successfully translated basic research findings into clinical interventions and brings a wealth of expertise and experience that will be invaluable for our vision for mental health research across the School of Biological Sciences. We are excited to have Tim on board and look forward to working together to drive new insights in this important field.”
Speaking about Professor Dalgleish’s appointment, Professor Jeff Dalley, Head of the Department of Psychology and Fellow of St Catharine's, said:
“We are delighted to welcome Professor Tim Dalgleish to our Department. His world-leading expertise and leadership in evidence-based psychological interventions in young people, informed by behavioural and brain research, has never been more important as rates of mental health problems continue to soar in our society. Tim's appointment will ensure the Department of Psychology further strengthens its presence at the forefront of research on mental health in young people.”
Professor Dalgleish will take up the post in January 2026.
Adapted from a press release by Cambridge University Development and Alumni Relations Office.