Professor James Goodwin
Honorary Professor in Medical Science (Physiology)
J.Goodwin2@exeter.ac.uk
07740 040166
Overview
James Goodwin is currently the Director of Science and Research Impact at the Brain Health Network (www.brain.health) and Honorary Professor in UEMS.
Dr Goodwin is an established and authoritative leader in ageing and ageing research. As former Chief Scientific Officer (CSO) at Age UK, Europe’s largest charity for older people, he directed research funding, collaborated with universities in the UK and abroad, influenced the policy of governments and international organisations, and worked to use research for the benefit of older people. He initiated the now global Age Friendly Cities movement, working with the WHO and securing funding from the Public Health Agency of Canada. He led and funded the first collaborative project in Europe in which older people’s community groups were research-trained and enabled to conduct their own local research. He was a key leader in the EU’s FUTURAGE study which produced a creative strategy for the pathway of research in ageing for the next 10 years in Europe. Consequently, he was one of the architects of a successful 5-year research study at Sweden’s Lund University of how to effectively involve older people in formal academic research.
Dr Goodwin is highly influential in the area of ageing and brain health. He was a founding member of the Global Council on Brain Health, Washington, DC, a collaborative between AARP and Age UK. Amongst other prestigious boards, he was an Expert Advisory Board Member for the Optum Labs (USA) dementia prediction project. As Director of Research at Age UK he initiated one of the world’s most influential longitudinal research projects on brain health, ‘The Disconnected Mind’ at Edinburgh University. His other expert bodies include a UK Ministerial Advisory Group on Dementia Research, the UN Research Agenda for Ageing panel, a UN Digital Health Group and a WHO Advisory Group. He left Age UK in 2018 to become the founding Director of Science and Research Impact at the start up Brain Health Network, London.
Dr Goodwin is a sought-after international speaker, science communicator and author. He has presented at the UN, at the WHO, at numerous corporate clients including Unilever (London), Merck (Berlin), Samsung (Seoul), Vodafone (UK), Silicon Valley’s Equinix, Sanofi Pasteur (Paris), the Institute of Directors, Monaco and at universities in Europe and North America. In the two years from 2021 to 2023, he has had some 150 interviews, articles, podcasts and commentaries in the media, including the BBC, Sky TV, GB News, UK Health Radio, National Public Radio (All Things Considered), the London Times, the Telegraph, The I, twice in Vogue (London and New York), Vanity Fair, Country and Town House, Top Santé and the New Scientist. He is author of the UK best seller on brain health, ‘Supercharge Your Brain’, published by Penguin Random House for sale in Canada, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa and by Pegasus Books in New York, NY. Foreign language book rights have been sold in Chinese, Japanese, Mongolian and Korean; in Russian, Polish and Bulgarian. More recently, Dr Goodwin has been appointed the brain health science consultant to the production company, Plimsoll Productions (UK and LA) which is currently producing a documentary on brain health.
Qualifications
- MSc Human Biology, Loughborough University
- PhD Medical Science (Physiology), University of Exeter Medical
Research
Research interests
- The physiology of autonomic cardiac responses in extremes of heat and cold in older people
- Longevity, ageing and brain health
- Research impact and the public communication of science
- Research on ageing strategy and policy
Research projects
UKRI Realising the health co-benefits of the transition to net zero (with King’s College London).
The development of online home testing for MCI and dementia (with the Brain Health Network) (www.brain.health).
Authorship of book underway with Penguin Random House.
Publications:
2016 The Brain-Sleep Connection: GCBH Recommendations on Sleep and Brain Health. DOI: https://doi.org/10.26419/pia.00014.001
2016 Elder wealth, Cognition and Abuse (editorial). Robert B Hudson and James Goodwin. Public Policy and Aging Report, 2016, 26, 1, 2-4
2016 The Brain-Body Connection: GCBH Recommendations on Physical Activity and Brain Health. Global Council on Brain Health. DOI: https://doi.org/10.26419/pia.00013.001
2017 Knowledge translation in ageing and health. Richards M and Goodwin J. OPUS ONE, January 2017
2017 The Brain and Social Connectedness: GCBH Recommendations on Social Engagement and Brain Health. Global Council on Brain Health. DOI: Engagement and Brain Health.” DOI: https://doi.org/10.26419/pia.00015.001
2017 The Public messaging of science: what the evidence tells us about getting it right. James Goodwin and Sarah Lock. Innovation in Aging, 1(supp_1), 40-41. DOI:10.1093/geroni/igx/006.162
2017 Engage Your Brain: GCBH Recommendations on Cognitively Stimulating Activity. Global Council on Brain Health. DOI: https://doi.org/10.26419/pia.00001.001
2018 Bridging the Gap – How the Global Council on Brain Health Delivers to the People of the World What Science is Telling Us about Brain Aging. Washington DC 2017: International Journal of the AARP, 11, 1, 36-39. DOI:10.1093/ppar/pry044
2018 Brain Health and Mental Well-Being: GCBH Recommendations on Feeling Good and Functioning Well. Global Council on Brain Health. DOI: https://doi.org/10.26419/pia.00037.001
2018 Healthy ageing across the life course (in) The New Dynamics of Ageing Vol 1 (Ed: Alan Walker) 59-81. Bristol: The Policy Press
2018 A life-course approach to vaccination: adapting European policies. Aguado T, Goodwin J, Holt D, et al. London: The Health Policy Partnership Publications
2018 De-prescribing: What the evidence tells us. James Goodwin and Brian Kaske (editorial). Public Policy and Aging Report, 28,4, 106-107
2019 The Real Deal on Brain Health Supplements: GCBH Recommendations on Vitamins, Minerals, and Other Dietary Supplements. DOI: https://doi.org/10.26419/pia.00094.001
2020 Occupational heat stress and cooling solutions for healthcare and industry workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Foster J, Hodder S, Goodwin J and Havenith G. Annals of Work Exposures and Health, 64, 9, 915-922.
2020 The Brain-Heart Connection: GCBH Recommendations to Manage Cardiovascular Risks to Brain Health. Global Council on Brain Health. DOI: https://doi.org/10.26419/pia.00099.001
2020 Preserving Your Brain Health During Illness or Surgery: GCBH Recommendations to Prevent and Treat Delirium. Global Council on Brain Health. DOI: https://doi.org/10.26419/pia.00101.001
2020 Music on our minds: the rich potential of music to promote brain health and mental well-being. Global Council on Brain Health. DOI:https://doi.org/10.24619/pia00103.001
2021 COVID-19 and Brain Health: GCBH Recommendations on What to Do Now. Global Council on Brain Health. DOI: https://doi. org/10.26419/pia.00104.001.
2021 How to Sustain Brain Healthy Behaviors: Applying Lessons of Public Health and Science to Drive Change. Global Council on Brain Health. DOI: https://doi.org/10.26419/pia.00106.0019
Publications
No publications found
External Engagement and Impact
Awards
Fellowship of the Academy of Social Sciences of London
Twice nominee to the Royal Society of Literature annual awards (2021 and 2022)
Committee/panel activities
2003 UN Committee, ‘Global Agenda for Ageing in the 21st Century’
2004 Expert Advisory Board, National Collaboration of Ageing Research
2004 Chair, UK Funders Forum on Ageing Research
(Note: Funders’ Forum consists of 4 UK National Research Councils, two UK Government Departments, 6 Charities including the Wellcome Trust) and three Directors of national research programmes)
2004 ESRC (Economics and Social Research Council) Commissioning Panel (Dynamics of Work in Later Life)
2005 Chair, WHO Steering Committee, Global Project ‘Age-Friendly Cities’, Geneva
2006 Chair, The Andropause Society, Harley Street, London
2007 UN Digital Health Programme Advisory Board
2008 Expert Advisory Board, Met Office UK, ‘Health and Weather Forecasting’
2009 ARCC Project Advisory Group, UK Meteorological Office
2009 Medical Research Council Lifelong Health and Well-being Commissioning Panel
2010 Expert Advisory Board, I’D GO (Inclusive Design for Going Outdoors) Edinburgh, Salford, Oxford Brookes Universities and University of British Colombia Consortium
2010 Ministerial Advisory Group on Dementia Research, UK Government
2012 Expert Advisory Board, Centre for Longitudinal Studies, University College, London (Halcyon project)
2013 Advisory Board of Center for Age Friendly Excellence, Los Altos, California
2013 Chair, Knowledge Transfer Steering Group, Medical Research Council Halcyon project
2013 Expert Advisory Board, Samsung, Seoul, RoK (Extending Working Lives)
2013 Advisory Board, Sanofi Pasteur, Europe (Healthy Ageing: A Public Health Perspective)
2014 Expert Advisory Board, ‘Easy-Care’ Health Care Ltd
2014 Consultant to the Centre for Better Ageing, London
2015 Adviser on research impact and knowledge translation, Heat Shield Project, funded by EU funding programme ‘Horizon 2020’
2016 Expert Advisory Board, European Institute of Innovation and Technology (Health)
2018 Academic Reviewer for the Queen’s Anniversary Prize programme for UK universities
2019 Advisory Board OptumLabs Dementia Prevention Project
2022 ‘Membre du Jury’ (research impact) for the French Government ANR Research Agency programme, Ageing and Autonomy
2023 Expert Advisory Board, Jinfinity Inc (Diagnostics), Augusta, Georgia, USA
Editorial responsibilities
2003-2009
Member of the Advisory Board: ‘Age Horizons – Policy Futures’; Editor in Chief: Dr Sarah Harper, Oxford Institute of Ageing, University of Oxford Press
2006-2011
Member of the Editorial Board: ‘Quality in Ageing’; Editor Prof Ron Iphofen, University of Wales, Bangor Emerald Publishing
2011-2023
Member of the Editorial Board. Public Policy and Ageing Reports: National Academy for an Aging Society, Washington DC (GSA) Editor Dr Brian Kaske, Iowa University. University of Oxford Press
Invited lectures
2001 Goodwin J. Cardiovascular function of the elderly during activity at different temperatures. Presented to the 41st Annual Meeting of the UK Climatic Physiology Society, Institute of Naval Medicine, Alverstoke, UK Dec 2000.
2001 Goodwin J. Cutting the Cost of Cold: A Challenge of Research into Practice. Keynote address at the 2nd Annual Conference of the Postgraduate Institute, School of Health & Social Care, University of Teesside, UK.
2002 Wilson JS, Fry-Smith A, Goodwin J and Taylor RS. A systematic Review of the effects of cold on the health of the elderly. DoH/Met Office conference ‘Forecasting the Nation’s Health’, Coventry, UK 14-15 March, 2002.
2002 Goodwin J. Evidenced based practice: a review of policies in the prevention of excess winter deaths in the elderly. Presented to Institute of Ageing and Health, Newcastle University, UK. March, 2002.
2002 Taylor RS, Wilson J S, Goodwin J, Hawker J and Fry-Smith A
Undertaking systematic reviews of aetiological questions: a case study – the impact of cold temperatures on health outcomes. Int Soc for Health Technology Assessment Conference, Berlin, Federal Republic of Germany, June, 2002.
2003 Goodwin J. Building a research strategy – priorities in ageing in the UK. UN/IAG Seminar, African Region – the UN Research Agenda on Ageing for the 21st Century, Cape Town, South Africa. March, 2003
2003 Goodwin J and Kohler M. Social policy, fuel poverty and excess winter deaths: the evidence examined. London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, UK. June 2003
2003 Goodwin J. What strategy for Europe? Gaps and priorities in the research agenda on ageing. UN/IAG Seminar, European Region – the UN Research Agenda on Ageing for the 21st Century, Barcelona, Spain. July 2003
2003 Goodwin J. A Research Strategy for the 21st Century
Medical School Lecture Series, University of Aberdeen, Scotland. (03 Dec, 2003)
2003 Goodwin J. New Directions – The development of the Help the Aged research strategy. Institute of Ageing, University of Keele, UK. (16 December, 2003)
2004 Goodwin J. Funding and Fragmentation : strategic solutions for a national agenda on ageing. Sheffield Institute for the Study of Ageing, University of Sheffield, UK (26 January, 2004)
2004 Goodwin J. The organisation of research on ageing in the UK: Strategic Issues. British Academy; House of Lords Select Committee on Science and Technology. London, UK (14 September, 2004)
2005 Goodwin J. Health Forecasting and the health of older people.
Distinguished Lecture, School of Aging and Policy, University of South Florida, Tampa, USA. (February, 2005)
2006 Goodwin J. Seasonal and Climatic Factors in Cardiovascular and Diabetic Patients. 5th World Congress on the Aging Male, Salzburg, Austria (February, 2006)
2006 Goodwin J. The Longevity Dividend. United States Senate Symposium, Washington, DC, USA (September, 2006)
2007 Goodwin J. Climate Change and the Threat to the Health of Older People: the importance of salt and water balance. EU Salt and Health Symposium, Brussels, Belgium (April 07)
2007 Goodwin J. The Future of Ageing Research. Horizon Seminar, Cambridge University, UK (December, 2007)
2008 Goodwin J. Climate Change and the Health of Older People
Peninsula Medical School, Knowledge Spa, Truro, Cornwall, UK (April, 2008)
2008 Goodwin J. Chair of GSA Presidential Symposium, Washington DC, USA
Emergency Preparedness and Older People (Nov 2008)
2009 Goodwin J. Welcome address, Foreign and Commonwealth Office Science and Technology Network Seminar, London, UK (March 2009)
2009 Goodwin J. Keynote Address, Inaugural Conference of Institute for Ageing Studies, Brunel University, UK
2009 Goodwin J. Age and Temperature. TNO Netherlands Government Symposium. Rotterdam, Netherlands (Feb 2009)
2010 Goodwin J, Randall T, Walker A, Kierzek G & Gutman G. An Evaluation of Health Forecasting and Heat Health-watch Systems in Mitigating the Impact of Heat Waves on Older People Presidential Symposium, IAGG World Congress on Ageing Paris, France (July 2010)
2010 Goodwin J. Knowledge Transfer and Research in the Third Sector. EPSRC KT-EQUAL Workshop Loughborough University, UK
2010 Goodwin J and Barnes A. The role of users in research and knowledge transfer. FUTURAGE Workshop. University of Lund, Sweden
2011 Goodwin J, Georgantzi N, Sargeant G, Harman T and Barnes A. FUTURAGE Symposium. BSG 40th Annual Scientific Meeting, University of Plymouth, UK
2011 Goodwin J. Sustainability, Climate Change and Healthcare of Older People. British Society of Gerontology Seminar, House of Lords, London, UK
2011 Goodwin J. Research Impact: A Third Sector Perspective. Higher Education Funding Council for England Seminar. Aston University, UK
2011 Goodwin J. Dementia and Ageing Research – the State of Play. Health and Social Care Congress. Manchester, UK
2011 Goodwin J. The Funding of Research in Age UK. Joint British Society for Research on Ageing/IABG International Conference, Brighton UK
2012 Goodwin J. Heat, Health and the Older Population. Good Homes Alliance. Institute of Public Health, London, UK (July 2012)
2012 Goodwin J. Meeting the Challenge of Healthy Ageing: innovation and impact. Imperial College, London UK (October 2012)
2012 Goodwin J. Developing research impact in Dementia. Science and Technology Foundation. British Academy, London, UK (Oct 2012)
2012 Goodwin J. Patient and Public Involvement in Medical Research. British Geriatric Society Cardiovascular Special Interest Group. Royal College of Surgeons, London, UK
2013 Goodwin J. Achieving Research Impact. Surrey University, UK (May)
2013 Wright T and Goodwin J. Extending Working Lives: Challenges and Opportunities. IAGG World Congress on Ageing, Seoul, Republic of Korea (June)
2013 Goodwin J. How fast is society ageing and how long will I live? Sanofi Pasteur Public Health Forum, London, UK
2013 Goodwin J and Iparraguirre J. New data analyses of winter mortality and the implications. Meteorological Office (UK Weather Service) Exeter, UK
2013 Goodwin J. Research on Ageing: What the Evidence Tells Us. North West Local Older People’s Consortium, Carlisle, UK (Nov 2013)
2013 Goodwin J. Delivering Solutions for Future Healthcare Needs
National Institute for Health Research Symposium, Royal College of Physicians, London, UK (Dec 2013)
2014 Goodwin J. A Paradigm Shift in Research. ‘Innolife’ Knowledge and Innovation Community Consortium (€2.1 bn). Amsterdam, Netherlands (January)
2014 Goodwin J. How to achieve impact in ageing research. School of Medicine, Dundee University, Scotland (April, 2014)
2014 Goodwin J (Discussant). Maintaining Good Cognitive Health and Wellbeing. British Academy Series on Population Ageing. Edinburgh University, Scotland
2014 Goodwin J. Knowledge Transfer in Ageing Research. Nordic Congress on Ageing, Gothenburg, Sweden (June, 2014)
2014 Goodwin J, Barnes A and Chiatti, C. Il ruolo delle charities nelle politiche per l`invecchiamento attivo nel Regno Unito. Italian National Centre for Research on Ageing, Ancona, Italy (June 2014)
2014 Goodwin J. Knowledge Transfer: Returning Research to Everyday Understanding. Norwegian Forum on Dementia Research, Oslo, Norway (September, 2014)
2015 Goodwin J. Research Impact in Neuroscience. Oxford University, UK (January 2015)
2015 Goodwin J. ‘Welcome to Our World: implications of an ageing society for business’. Unilever Corporate Headquarters, Blackfriars, London, UK. (March)
2015 Goodwin J. Ageing and Public Health. Staffordshire County Council Symposium, Stafford, UK (May 2015)
2016 Goodwin J. The Age UK Wellbeing Index. EIT Workshop, Leiden Academy, Netherlands (Jan 2016)
2016 Goodwin J. The Age UK Wellbeing Index. EIT Workshop, Leiden Academy, Netherlands (Jan 2016)
2017 Goodwin J. Age Friendly Cities and the Future of Ageing. The Commonwealth Club, San Francisco, Ca, USA (July 2017)
2017 Goodwin J and Lock S. The Public Messaging of Science – What the evidence tells us about getting it right. World Congress on Ageing, San Francisco, Ca, USA. (July 2017)
2017 Goodwin J and Iparraguirre J. Have Cold Weather Plans been effective at all in reducing mortality due to cold in England? UK Meteorological Office, Exeter, England
2018 Goodwin J. New models of user involvement in research. Workshop, The Leyden Academy, Netherlands (October 2018)
2018 Goodwin J. Vaccination as a Critical Component of Holistic Healthcare for Older People, European Congress on Geriatric Medicine, Berlin, Federal Republic of Germany (Nov 2018)
2021 Goodwin J. How to maintain your Brain Power. How To Academy online podcast presentation (UK)
2022 Goodwin J. How to ‘Supercharge’ Your Brain. Telegraph national online conference ‘The Great Health Reset’ (London, UK)
2023 Goodwin J. The Six Pillars of Brain Health. Institute of Directors, Monaco
2023 Goodwin J. Sustainable travel in an ageing economy. Sparks and Honey Culture Briefing. New York, USA
Media Coverage
From 2021 to 2023, Dr Goodwin has had some 150 interviews, articles, podcasts and commentaries in the media, including the National Public Radio (All Things Considered), KQED, NPFA, Radio Nemo, BBC, Sky TV, GB News, UK Health Radio, the London Times, the Telegraph, The I, twice in Vogue (London and New York), Vanity Fair, Country and Town House, Top Santé and the New Scientist – vivid proof of Dr Goodwin’s engagement skills across all sectors and levels. More recently, James has become the brain health science consultant to the production company, Plimsoll Productions (UK and LA) which is currently producing a documentary on brain health.
Extracts from portfolio
- Vogue, New York. December 6th, 2023 ( on relearning in older age) https://www.vogue.com/article/restarting-my-childhood-hobby-changed-my-life-it-can-help-you-too
- Telegraph, London. April 26th 2023 (on Joe Biden re-running at 86) https://www.telegraph.co.uk/health-fitness/mind/keep-brain-sharp-old-age-president-joe-biden/
- Vogue, London. February 22nd, 2022 (on how to improve your brain health) https://www.vogue.co.uk/beauty/article/brain-health-tips
- BBC Music, London. August 1st, 2021 (on music and the brain) https://www.classical-music.com/articles/does-listening-to-music-help-your-mental-health
- New Scientist, London. April 14th 2021 (on how to keep your brain healthy)
https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg25033300-400-how-to-keep-your-brain-healthy-the-7-things-you-should-do-every-day/.
