London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine

Professor Kaye Wellings, from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), has been made an OBE for her influential sexual health research.

The social scientist was awarded in the King's Birthday Honours for services to sexual and reproductive health through her leading role in studies with major policy impact.

Kaye Wellings, Professor of Sexual and Reproductive Health at LSHTM, founded the groundbreaking National Surveys of Sexual Attitudes and Lifestyles (Natsal) investigating the sexual behaviour of British people.

She was involved from the start of Natsal during the 1980s in response to the emerging HIV epidemic. The research aimed to provide reliable information on people living in Britain at that time. Interviews for the first survey with those aged 18-59 started in 1990 and it has been repeated around every 10 years since then, building a comprehensive picture of the sexual health of the nation and how this has changed over time and across generations.

Findings from Natsal provide the evidence-base for major sexual health interventions including the Teenage Pregnancy Strategy (2000-2010), National Chlamydia Screening Programme, enhanced HIV testing, national sexual health & HIV strategies, sex and relationship education in schools (PSHE education), and delivery of sexual health services.

Professor Wellings, who joined LSHTM in 1993, has led numerous studies in her field, including the evaluation of HIV/AIDS campaigns in Europe, the first global study of sexual behaviour and the national evaluation of the government’s Teenage Pregnancy Strategy. Most recently she led a programme of research on abortion aimed at helping to shape policy, improve service delivery and provide the necessary evidence for abortion law reform. She is currently working on a study examining the recent decline in the fertility rate in Britain.

Her many contributions have centred not only on the research itself, but also in moving the evidence to change policy and practice, drawing on her skills in communication and engagement.

Professor Wellings said: “I’m delighted to have my work recognised by this honour. I count myself fortunate to have worked during a period in which there have been so many opportunities to make a difference and, crucially, the funding to do so.

“I’d like to thank all the wonderful colleagues whose enthusiasm and commitment have made this possible.”

Professor Liam Smeeth, Director of LSHTM, said: “Congratulations to Kaye on this well-deserved honour. Her research has been highly influential, providing crucial insights for policies from HIV/AIDS to teenage pregnancy.

“A passionate communicator and advocate for rigorous public health research, she has also supported numerous colleagues and students throughout her career.”