UCLan to Launch Compassion Study Centre

The University of Central Lancashire in Preston is set to launch the nation's first compassion study centre.

The new Centre for the Study of Compassion is believed to be the first of its kind and will initially focus on developing interdisciplinary research projects and providing supervision for new PhD students.

The new centre will be led by Professor Patrick Pietroni, who is currently director of the Elizabeth Bryan Foundation Trust (EBFT). The charitable trust was founded in memory of the eminent paediatrician Elizabeth Bryan. Professor Peitroni is also the director of the Darwin Centre Trust.

The centre will act as a hub for an international network of universities and organisations working on research into different areas of compassion.

Commenting on the announcement, Prof Pietroni said: "I have had the good fortune to be appointed as the first occupant of the Elizabeth Bryan Chair for the Study of Compassion. It will be the most challenging post of my academic career - we have recognised the necessity of helping to nurture a generation of compassionate leaders."