A research group at the University of York is building a network of scientists across South Asia to tackle the region’s widespread use of smokeless tobacco products. Smokeless tobacco—chewed, sucked, or applied to the gums—causes oral cancers and other diseases but receives far less research attention than cigarettes. The group, called ASTRA, will train local researchers, conduct studies on how these products are used and marketed, and develop evidence that governments can use to design effective public health policies. If the work succeeds, it could reduce the burden of oral cancer and other tobacco-related illnesses in countries such as India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan, where millions of people use smokeless tobacco daily. The project also strengthens research capacity in the region, leaving behind a skilled workforce that can continue studying local health challenges long after the grant ends. This is applied health research with a direct, practical goal: saving lives by closing a knowledge gap that has been largely ignored by global health programmes.
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The University of York (henceforth York) has an excellent research reputation and a vision to become a global leader in research - its key strategic objective. In its strategic plan (2014-2020), York is committed to expand its research activity and continue to build its international alliances and collaborations. The strategy states Research excellence defines York and further strengthening and improving our research, to be dynamic, inspirational and life-changing in its impact, is an absolute priority. Ranked 28th for International Outlook in the latest THE World University Rankings, York is ideally placed to respond to the global challenges of our time. York's seven research themes (https://www.york.ac.uk/research/themes/), including health and well-being, align its academic strengths with both the United Nation's sustainability goals and the four strategic objectives of the UK Aid Strategy (gov.uk). York's response to the Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF) is ambitious. Supported by several recent grants (e.g. GCRF, European Union [EU], Research Councils UK [RCUK], Wellcome Trust) and strategic investments (posts, research office support, pump-prime funding), York's research in international development is thriving. Recently, York was successful in securing several GCRF grants in the fields of global health histories, tobacco control, environment, agriculture, human rights and biology. Consequently, York's researchers are already in partnership with communities across the global South and are addressing some of the world's most pressing health, environmental and social challenges. York has created a vibrant and multidisciplinary International Development Network (https://www.york.ac.uk/idn/). York has recently made a strategic investment by creating a Centre for Global Development, which will bring academics from different disciplines together to create innovative solutions to address key global challenges. York is now a growing hub for excellent global health research. Its research centres such as: Centre for Immunology & Infection (CII), Centre for Novel Agricultural Products (CNAP), York Environmental Sustainability Institute (YESI), Centre for Health Economics, Centre for Global Health Histories and Department of Health Sciences are bringing excellent researchers from diverse disciplines together to create innovative solutions to tackle global health challenges. Through its efforts, York is determined to leave a legacy for research in the UK and for its partners in the global South. York's excellence in research was recognised in the Research Excellence Framework (REF 2014), where York was joint first for its research environment. The impact of its research was ranked as predominately world leading (i.e. 80% 4*, 20% 3*). York was also rated 7th nationally in public health, health services and primary care. The University is also committed to Athena SWAN (current status bronze) and the Concordat to support the career development of researchers. The Department of Health Sciences host for ASTRA - has over 130 active multi-disciplinary research staff, including clinical academics in public health, primary care, health policy and mental health, which together position York as a premier provider of applied health research. Its six core research groups (https://www.york.ac.uk/healthsciences/research/research-in-healthsciences/) are poised to build on its established world-leading research excellence. The Department's annual research income exceeds £7m per year with a diverse portfolio of funders. York has been increasingly recognised as a global leader for its tobacco control research in South Asia. Over recent years, York has established extensive research collaborations within South Asia. These have led to the foundation of two research organisations in the region, the securing of competitive research grants of more than £10 million, the publication of more than 60 scientific papers and a significant research impact with
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