Doctor Nicholas Hall of Midsomer Norton, is well known locally in his voluntary role as Chairman of Somerset Coalfield Life at Radstock Museum. But Nick, as he prefers to be known, is also well renowned nationally and internationally for his academic research into inflammatory arthritis.

This summer, The University of Bath awarded Nick an honorary degree for his outstanding contribution to rheumatology in recognition of his life’s work: researching, understanding and thus improving the diagnosis and treatment of rheumatic diseases.

His career began following a degree in Biochemistry at Magdalene College, Cambridge, after which he completed his PhD at King’s College, London, Nick then went on to spend a year studying Immunology at the Max-Planck-Institut fur Immunbiologie in Freiburg, Germany.

He began working at The University of Bath in 1974 as a post-doctoral research fellow and in 1976, he was appointed to a lectureship in the Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology. His extensive work included the publication of 75 research papers in the area of immune cell activation and regulation and its relevance to rheumatic disorders affecting bone and joints, such as arthritis. This was as well as supervising 24 PhD students, training generations of pharmacists and pharmacologists, serving as a highly effective Director of Undergraduate Studies and being a member of the department’s senior management team for many years.

Nick also served on the Executive Council of the British Society for Rheumatology and on the Editorial Board of the British Journal of Rheumatology. He was awarded significant research funding that helped develop the foundations of research into rheumatic diseases in Bath that is still going strong today.

A major highlight of Nick’s academic career was his role in developing the Bath Institute for Rheumatic Disease (BIRD). Nick established a joint venture between the Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases and the University of Bath, which brought together research scientists and clinicians to promote understanding of the mechanisms underlying rheumatic diseases, and thus improve treatment for patients. BIRD became a registered charity in 1981, and raised funds to buy and refurbish its own building in the centre of Bath. The BIRD building housed research labs and a serology lab developing novel autoantibody test systems. Nick was intimately involved in the fundraising campaign to buy the building in Trim Bridge, playing a leading role in project formulation and writing, visiting sponsors and speaking to potential donors. Nick was Chair of BIRD for twenty years and remains a Trustee.

To date, BIRD has trained more than 25 PhD students, twenty clinical research fellows and ten post-doctoral research assistants and was involved in the development of anti-TNF therapy, one of the treatments for patients with severe arthritic diseases.

Nick’s links to the University and his sustained dedication to ensuring the success of BIRD as an active local charity has facilitated funding of these important BIRD-funded projects that have impacted on the understanding, diagnosis and treatment of disease. The activities of BIRD are enhanced by active patient, family and carer engagement. Nick has championed the popular disease-specific information days delivered by experts in the field and launch of the Patient and Public Engagement initiative in 2016. Today, BIRD remains a vibrant local charity working to improve treatment for patients with rheumatic diseases.

Doctor Amanda MacKenzie, who presented Nick for the honorary degree said: “Remarkably, Nick’s contributions to the local community extend well beyond his BIRD activities. For example, Nick is also current Chair of the Trustees for the award-winning Radstock Museum, dedicated to recognising the work of the Somerset miners and their contribution to Britain’s heritage – Chancellor, it is my pleasure to introduce Dr Nick Hall, known nationally and internationally for his academic research in inflammatory arthritis and locally for his leadership of two important local charities.”

Nick, who in February escorted HRH Sophie, Countess of Wessex on a tour of Radstock Museum, received his award from her husband, HRH Prince Edward Earl of Wessex and Chancellor of The University of Bath.

The museum volunteers wish to congratulate their Chairman, Doctor Nick Hall, on his honorary degree.