Dr Poonam Malik

Court Member, Independent

Dr Poonam Malik, MBA, PhD, FRSB is an academic research management leader with extensive experience of working in partnership development within healthcare, industry and academic sectors internationally. Strong skills in strategic change, planning, problem solving, project management, communications and people management.

Dr Malik is Director, Innovation & Impact - Science & Technology with the World Health Innovation Summit (WHIS), CIC, a social Enterprise supporting community and health care organisations. Supporting innovation and generating social value in communities by sharing knowledge exchange to improve healthcare is a key priority- by working earlier with ERDF funded Eco-Innovations Teams and now as Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Medicine (STEMM) Innovation Lead with WHIS. Dr Malik is also an active Member of Investing Women Angels (IWA), Scotland's Only Women Angel Investor Community supporting women entrepreneurs with investment, mentoring and training.

Till recently Dr Malik held strategic management responsibility as Research Lead, for Academy and Faculty of Health & Science (five Departments) with a dual academic role as Assoc Professor of ‘Biomedical Sciences’, at the University of Cumbria, UK. Dr Malik has led successfully on Research & Development capacity and capability building for the academic staff and postgraduate students doubling the performance matrices. A specialist in industry partnership development Dr Malik played a crucial Ambassadorial role with more than 15 external agencies including Health Partnership Group Lancaster University, HEIF Management Advisory Group, FHM Lancaster University, Lancaster Health Hub, NHS Trusts, Innovations Agency in North West and Academic Health Service Network in the North East North Coast region of England doubled up outputs, collaborative projects and external funding. Dr Malik worked as a Senior Advisor and Methods Lead for NIHR Research Design Service North West and Link Advisor for Cumbria & Lancashire NHS Trusts.

Dr Malik is passionate about promotion of science, technology and digital transformation in society and for women & young people. Dr Malik was instrumental in development of new STEM Labs project for design, planning and Health and safety aspects of the first Category 2 laboratories in Carlisle at the University of Cumbria. She is Reviewer and Judge for Big Bang UK Young Scientists & Engineers Competition for UK Science/STEMM school project entries. Dr Malik has deep commitment to equality and diversity issues and as Co-Chair of University’s Athena SWAN (AS) Self-Assessment Team led on the AS Bronze Award Application preparation. Advancing the careers, progression and success of women academics and championing diversity of voice for representation from all staff and students has been high on her agenda. Dr Malik led and instituted UoC’s inaugural Three Minute Thesis Competition for postgraduate research talks to promote skills development and external engagement for PhD students. Reviewing bioethics and research ethics for social, healthcare and biological project proposals as the University Research Ethics Committee Member and facilitating training and advice on NHS Health & Social Care ethics applications is an area of expertise.

Dr Malik’s leadership vocation is in knowledge exchange, adding value as a Consultant Advisor, mentor and Change leader for generating organisational, social and community transformation within public, private and Not for Profit sectors. Dr Malik enjoys public speaking and regularly coaches on career development, interviewing, presentation, networking and communication.

Dr Malik completed a Doctorate (PhD) degree in Biomedical Sciences from the University of Glasgow, UK, an Executive Masters in Business Administration (MBA with Distinction) with specialisation in ‘Strategy’ and ‘Leadership’ from the University of Edinburgh Business School, UK, a MSc in Biotechnology from Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar and a BSc degree in Chemistry and Zoology. Dr Malik has published widely and her expertise and research interests are in infectious diseases, health, Higher education, knowledge exchange, commercialisation, strategy , leadership and diversity & equality.

She enjoys balancing this professional life... with an active family life at home with two young happy, loving children and a supportive NHS Paediatric Consultant husband.