Catherine Bowen

Professor Catherine Bowen is a Professor of Podiatry Research at the University of Southampton, School of Health Sciences. Her research focuses on advancing imaging techniques for foot and ankle health, particularly in osteoarthritis management, and optimizing clinical care pathways. She leads initiatives like the International Foot and Ankle Osteoarthritis Consortium (IFOAC) to improve arthritis-related foot care globally. Catherine has a strong track record in training researchers, supervising PhD candidates, and mentoring under-represented professions in healthcare research.

Education: PhD in diagnostic ultrasound imaging for foot/ankle pathology (2009). Previously at the University of Brighton (1996–2003) as a Senior Lecturer and Programme Lead for MSc Podiatry.

Research Interests

• Ultrasound imaging for musculoskeletal assessment
• Foot and ankle osteoarthritis management
• Podiatric workforce development and clinical practice

Key Projects:

• Big TOE Trial: Evaluating treatments for big toe osteoarthritis
• OptiFooT Programme: Identifying underserved populations in foot care
• NIHR ARC Wessex Knowledge Mobilisation: Translating research into clinical practice

Awards & Recognition

• Meritorious Award, Royal College of Podiatry (2014)
• Chartered Scientist (2014)
• Adjunct Professorships at Auckland University of Technology and Queensland University of Technology

Teaching & Supervision

Contributes to undergraduate/postgraduate podiatry programs and currently supervises 4 PhD students. Advocates for 'deep learning' through case-based discussions and clinical integration.

Grants & Collaborations

• Funded by Versus Arthritis, NIHR, and the NHS
• International collaborations via IFOAC and OARSI-endorsed networks

Labs/Teams

Leads the Foot and Ankle Research Group at Southampton, focusing on imaging innovation and clinical translation.