A major new UK-wide doctoral training programme to research oral health and dental disease prevention is set to begin in October 2026, thanks to a new industry-research partnership between Haleon and five UK universities: Queen Mary University of London, Glasgow Caledonian University (leading), King's College London, the University of Leeds, and the University of Southampton.
The six-year initiative is funded by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council through a £2.6m Industrial Doctoral Landscape Award. It will support twenty PhD students, including four at Queen Mary.
The programme will equip emerging researchers with the skills they'll need for careers in science, healthcare and innovation. Students will gain a comprehensive understanding of how research and development operates within a multinational consumer healthcare company, while supporting advances that can improve oral health around the world.
Dr Abish Stephen, Lecturer in Oral Microbiology and the lead Queen Mary academic for this programme, said:
"This Industrial Doctoral Landscape Award reflects the strength of our work in fundamental oral microbiology and host-microbe interactions. Working collaboratively with partner institutions and colleagues with diverse expertise across hard and soft tissue biology will allow us to do more ambitious and creative science and working with Haleon allows us to translate biological insight into future oral health innovation, while providing high-quality, interdisciplinary doctoral training."
Adam Sisson, Vice President and Head of Oral Health Research and Development at Haleon, said:
"Oral health plays a critical role in overall health. As a consumer company which focuses on better everyday health and the largest industrial funder of PhD dental research in the UK for over a decade, Haleon is committed to advancing oral health research in collaboration with leading academic institutions. Through this approach we're not only advancing science but investing in future talent to accelerate new innovations which deliver real benefits for consumers worldwide."
Prof Anne Ferguson-Smith, BBSRC Executive Chair, said:
"Through these investments, UKRI is strengthening the UK's leadership in critical technologies while creating meaningful opportunities for businesses, researchers and regions across the country. The IDLAs and DFAs will equip a new generation of talented researchers with the skills to drive innovation, support high-growth sectors and improve lives."
Oral diseases affect an estimated 3.5 billion people worldwide and are linked to serious conditions such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease. The economic cost of managing bacteria in the mouth is estimated to be £50 billion a year.
Professor Rob Allaker, Oral Microbiology Lead at Queen Mary's Institute of Dentistry, said:
"This is a significant step in recognising oral health as an area for serious, fundamental bioscience investment. The strength of a five-institution network, bringing together complementary infrastructure and expertise, will provide an excellent environment for training future PhD researchers to tackle the biological challenges in oral health."
Professor Christopher Tredwin, Dean and Director of Queen Mary's Institute of Dentistry, said:
"Very well done to Dr Abish Stephen and all the teams involved in this. It is great to see Oral Health attracting the attention it deserves, and we very much look forward to seeing the outstanding research and knowledge this funding will bring."
Applications are expected to open in February 2026.
Learn more about doctoral training at Queen Mary University of London.
Learn more about industry collaboration with Queen Mary University of London.
