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Health Foundation Chair in Learning Disabilities, Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge
Professor Tony Holland is holds the Health Foundation Chair in Learning Disabilities in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Cambridge. Within the Department he works in the Cambridge Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Group.
His two main areas of research interest are: firstly, investigating the relationship between particular genetic syndromes and associated psychiatric and behavioural disorders (e.g. Prader-Willi Syndrome and over-eating, and Down’s Syndrome and Alzheimer’s disease); and, secondly, clinico-legal studies, including studies investigating the capacity of people with various forms of disability to make particular decisions. This latter research informed the development and implementation of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and Professor Holland served as an advisor to a the Pre-legislative Scrutiny Committee of the Joint Houses of Parliament that considered what was then the Mental Incapacity Bill..
Professor Holland was appointed to his current post in September 2002, following a grant of £3 million over fifteen years for learning disability research. He is a Fellow and Vice President of the International Association for the Scientific Study of Intellectual Disability (IASSID) and was Elected a Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences. He is also Patron of UK Prader-Willi Syndrome Association, chair of the Clinical and Scientific Advisory Board of the International Prader-Willi Organisation, and psychiatric advisor to the UK Down’s Syndrome Association.
