About us
The Research Centre for Health (ReaCH) was launched in February 2020 and seeks to improve public health and the lives of people affected by long-term health conditions. Our research is aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (particularly ‘Good Health and Wellbeing’ and ‘Reduced Inequalities’).
ReaCH plays a vital role in showcasing our world-leading health research, fostering a thriving research culture, and translating GCU’s Common Good philosophy into tangible societal impact. This impact is the result of our partnerships with governments, non-governmental organisations, communities, practitioners, the NHS and third sector partners, both within Scotland and around the world.
Aims, objectives and SDGs
ReaCH Co-Directors
In November 2022, Professors Carol Emslie and Frederike van Wijck took up co-directorship of ReaCH.
Professor Carol Emslie
Co-Director Research Centre for Health (ReaCH)
Lead Substance Use Research Group
Carol Emslie is Professor of Health and Society and leads the Substance use research group at Glasgow Caledonian University. She is the Co-Chair of the Scottish Alcohol Research Network. Her applied research aims to understand the social context of drinking and explore ways to reduce alcohol-related harm. Recent work includes a WHO-commissioned webinar on gender and alcohol, studies of drinking and alcohol marketing in LGBTQ+ communities, and exploring the impact of alcohol minimum unit pricing on people with experience of homelessness.
She leads Glasgow Caledonian’s Crucible leadership programme. This aims to develop outward-facing early career researchers who are committed to civic engagement and working with partners to deliver positive social change.
"The Research Centre for Health (ReaCH) showcases our world-leading health research and builds lasting, meaningful connections with communities, practitioners, policymakers, NHS, third sector and other stakeholders. Our goal is always to translate our research into action, in line with Glasgow Caledonian’s role as a leading civic university delivering our Common Good mission.
"Our outstanding REF results demonstrate our world-class research and impact in public health and long-term conditions. I look forward to supporting our next generation of researchers to make a real difference in the quality of people's lives in Glasgow, Scotland and around the world".
Professor Frederike van Wijck
Co-Director Research Centre for Health (ReaCH)
Co-lead Stroke and Neurological Conditions Research Group (SYNERGY)
Frederike van Wijck, a human movement scientist and physiotherapist by background, is Professor of Neurological Rehabilitation Sciences at Glasgow Caledonian University. Her research interests focus on enhancing functional recovery after stroke and other neurological conditions, using skill acquisition, physical activity, behavioural change strategies and technologies, in order to enable people affected by these conditions to achieve their personal goals.
Frederike is president of the Society for Research in Rehabilitation, secretary of the European Forum for Research in Rehabilitation, and founding member of the Scottish Stroke Allied Health Professions Forum.
She has led contributions to the Scottish Progressive Stroke Pathway (2022) and the National Clinical Guideline for Stroke for the UK and Ireland (2023) and is a member of the Scottish Cross Party Group on Stroke.
“Our Research Centre for Health comprises a rich array of varied research groups– all working to the common goal of improving the lives of people affected by a range of health conditions, from the molecular to the societal level.
"The most recent Research Excellence Framework was a testimony to the world-leading quality and impact of our research. Our aim as co-directors is to foster a forward-looking, open-minded and transdisciplinary research community in which our colleagues and students can thrive, be creative and productive, share their expertise, responding to increasingly complex and changing needs of our society- locally, nationally and globally, through their high-quality, impactful research.”