Alan Silman
The Mysterious Last Illness of Jane Austen

Following graduating as a doctor, Alan Silman then trained in epidemiology at the London School of Hygiene. He then took up an academic role in the Department of Epidemiology at the London Hospital where he also trained in rheumatology. He was appointed as Director of Arthritis Research UK’s Epidemiology Research Unit, Manchester University in 1988. In 2007 he changed role and became the first Medical Director of the Arthritis Research UK charity. In 2015 he left ARUK to return to academic research in epidemiology and took up the role of Professor of Musculoskeletal Health at Oxford University. He has advised the UK government on the safety of medicines including vaccines and is currently part of the national panel reviewing the quality of epidemiological research in UK Universities. He has written a number of books and over 600 scientific articles. During the Covid-19 pandemic he wrote a blog for lay audience aimed at explaining the emerging data, which reached 100 countries. He has a passionate interest in Jewish history and culture and for 20 years has lead tours to many countries in Europe and Asia. He is a Trustee of various charities including Limmud UK.