School of Optometry welcomes back esteemed lifetime achievement winner
1 March 2024
Professor David Whitaker has been named as the winner of the prestigious Association of Optometrists Lifetime Achievement Award.
With a career spanning five decades, Professor Whitaker has been recognised for his profound contribution and instrumental work on the career progression course for optometry.
His journey has come full circle as he returns to the School of Optometry and Vision Sciences after serving as Head of the School of Healthcare Sciences for more than 6 years.
His return to the school is marked by a wealth of experience and insights gained from years of research, teaching, and contributions to the field.
This award shows his impact on the field of optometry and his ongoing dedication to nurturing the next generation of professionals.
“It feels absolutely fantastic. It was a bit of a surprise. There’s always that sense of imposter syndrome, and thinking, ‘Am I really worthy of this?’ I’m incredibly proud, and I’d like to thank all those who have supported me in gaining this award.”
Professor Whitaker continued:
“My time as Head of the School of Healthcare Sciences since 2018 has been undoubtedly the most challenging of my career, but the wonderful support of all staff within the school has seen us through some of the most turbulent times any of us could have imagined.
I return to the School of Optometry and Vision Sciences with a much better appreciation of the issues faced by all Health Professionals in the UK, and I’m particularly looking forward to returning to the two ‘loves’ that brought me into academia in the first place – teaching and research.”
A lasting impact
Our Lifetime Achievement Award recognises a person who has dedicated their career to promoting and expanding the role of optics, or someone who has brought the benefits of optics to a wider audience. The recipient of this award demonstrates a wide-reaching impact on the profession. I couldn’t be more honoured to present this award to Professor David Whitaker, a remarkable optometrist. With a career spanning five decades, Professor David Whitaker has made an awe inspiring contribution to vision research.
Dr James Heron, a past PhD student of Whitaker’s said:
“He has had a huge impact on me as an academic. My research capability has come directly from learning from him.
This person is arguably the cleverest person I have ever met, in possession of a huge amount of knowledge. He can break down and convey difficult technical knowledge exceptionally well to others."
As the winner of the award, Professor Whitaker brings not only his expertise but also a renewed commitment to education, research, and the future of optometry.
