Prof. Alan Cottenden appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)

Interview with Alan Cottenden about the MBE Award by Helena Engqvist

“It's gratifying that the award recognises the needs of people living with such a taboo condition as incontinence which, though it rarely takes lives, seriously diminishes the quality of life of millions. Working in multidisciplinary teams to improve containment technology continues to challenge and fascinate me." Alan said.

Professor Alan Cottenden, Emeritus Professor in the Department of Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering at University College London is a globally well-known person in the academic, health and nonwovens related industries worlds with regards to research and insights about incontinence and how to improve the support of people suffering from it, a major health problem mainly for adults. Alan has during his career published over 250 scientific and clinical publications and contributed to conferences and patents. He is also a member of the Advisory Board of the US Simon Foundation, and the British Standards Institute and International Standards Organisation committees on incontinence technology, and helped create numerous international standards, one of which forms the basis for national purchasing of incontinence pads in the UK, and much more.

Alan shared his background and thoughts about his work: “In 1978 - having completed my first degree in materials science and my PhD in the mechanical properties of machine tool materials at Cambridge – I decided to explore a possible career in Biomedical Engineering. At just that time, the first big epidemiological study on incontinence was underway, revealing that there were many more incontinent people than anyone realized. Containment products were very primitive; there was little work to improve matters; and I was drawn in. I remember that – at that time - some companies sold just one absorbent product that was supposed to suit men and women of all ages, all lifestyles, and all severities of incontinence. We’ve come a long way since then and it’s been great fun playing a small part in the improvements that have been achieved.

More information here.