Digital health leader named co-director for next phase of major research collaboration

Professor Michael Boniface has been appointed co-director in the bid for a major research investment in the region.

The NIHR Applied Research Collaboration (ARC) in Wessex tackles pressing issues across health and social care. It helps bring research evidence into everyday practice.

ARCs are funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR).

The NIHR ARC Wessex is hosted by University Hospital Southampton in collaboration with the University of Southampton’s School of Health Sciences.

Professor Boniface, who leads the IT Innovation Centre at the University of Southampton, brings a wealth of experience in digital health and system transformation.

‘True innovation’

Professor Boniface is a leader in digital health and theme lead for Workforce and Health Systems in the current NIHR ARC Wessex.

His appointment has been welcomed by the collaboration’s director designate, and current deputy director, Professor Catherine Bowen.

“Michael emerged as an outstanding candidate,” she said. “His groundbreaking digital health research and implementation support during the COVID-19 pandemic and innovative practice across the health and care system has transformed how we deliver care and strengthened our ability to adopt innovation at scale.

“His leadership in the ARC Workforce and Health Systems theme has driven true innovation. With extensive experience in overseeing and implementing large-scale research projects, his contributions have been instrumental in advancing our application for the next ARC.”

Regional and national role

Professor Boniface is based in the University’s School of Electronics and Computer Science, where he also serves as an Associate Director of the Web Science Institute. He is also part of the NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre, and was formerly Impact Director of the UKRI Trustworthy Autonomous Systems Hub.

Reflecting on his appointment, Professor Boniface said:

“We’re entering a new era of applied research, one that supports the shift from analogue to digital, reactive to preventative care, and isolated innovation to system-wide impact.

“The opportunity lies not only in developing cutting-edge technologies, but in changing how health, public health and social care organisations adopt and scale innovation. By embedding applied research into real-world practice, we can accelerate change that genuinely improves lives.

“Wessex is uniquely positioned to lead this transformation, with strong partnerships, world-class research infrastructure, and a proven ability to turn innovation into impact.”

New research cycle

There are 15 NIHR ARCs located across England. Each undertakes research on a range of themes.

The proposed new phase of the ARC for the Wessex region is positioned to start in April 2026. It would span five years.

The application to the NIHR is currently being reviewed. A decision is anticipated in autumn 2025.