Michael John Godfrey Farthing (born 1948) is British emeritus professor at the University of Sussex, where he was previously its vice-chancellor (2007–2016). His early academic career was in medicine, specialising in gastroenterology.
Following an appointment as research fellow, honorary lecturer in gastroenterology at St Bartholomew's Hospital, London, in 1980, he was appointed Wellcome Tropical Lecturer and worked in India, Boston and Costa Rica as visiting lecturer and assistant professor. In 1983, upon returning to the UK, he became senior lecturer and honorary consultant back at Barts' department of gastroenterology. In 1990 he was appointed professor of gastroenterology at St Bartholomew's Hospital Medical College and held this post for five years. He later became Executive Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Professor of Medicine at the University of Glasgow. Following this, he was honorary consultant gastroenterologist for the St George's Healthcare NHS Trust from 2003 to 2007.
From 1996 to 2002 he served as editor of Gut. It was during his time as editor that he came across the problem of research fraud. The problem of scientific misconduct led him, with other journal editors, lawyers and professor of ethics, to cofound a UK Committee on Publication Ethics, Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE).
In 2007, Farthing was appointed the seventh vice chancellor at University of Sussex, where he led plans for re-development.
Early life and education
Michael Farthing attended Henry Thornton school, a state grammar school in Clapham, London. In 1969, before qualifying as a doctor he spent time volunteering at a mission hospital in a village in the Kadapa district in Andhra Pradesh, India. He gained his medical degree from University College, London (UCL), and the University College Hospital Medical School in 1972.
Early career
Farthing completed his early medical training at Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge. In the 1970s he returned to India for a second time as a doctor on a film set. Following an appointment as research fellow, honorary lecturer in gastroenterology at St Bartholomew's Hospital, London, in 1980, he was appointed Wellcome Tropical Lecturer and worked in India, Boston and Costa Rica as visiting lecturer and assistant professor. Upon returning to the UK in 1983, he became senior lecturer and honorary consultant back at St Bartholomew's Hospital's department of gastroenterology. In 1990 he was appointed professor of gastroenterology at St Bartholomew's Hospital Medical College and held this post for five years. From 1995 to 2000 he was Dean of the Faculty of Clinical Medicine at Bart's and the Royal London School of Medicine and Dentistry. During this time he oversaw the postdoctoral work of Rebecca Fitzgerald. He was honorary professor and consultant physician at University College, where he was first elected in 1998.
In 2000 he moved to Glasgow and became Executive Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Professor of Medicine at the University of Glasgow. Following this, he was honorary consultant gastroenterologist for the St George's Healthcare NHS Trust from 2003 to 2007. He concurrently held the positions of Principal, St George's, University of London from 2003 to 2007, and Pro-Vice Chancellor for Medicine University of London from 2005 to 2007.
He has also had numerous Government and national body roles. These include Co-ordinator (Gastroenterology) for the UK/Poland Health Agreement first from 1990 to 1992 and then from 1992 to 1994, and member for the Education Committee and Undergraduate Board of the General Medical Council, both from 2001 to 2008. As a member of the Education Committee of the General Medical Council, Farthing played a part in curriculum planning for the new Medical School established jointly by the Universities of Hull and York.
He was non-executive Director of the Greater Glasgow NHS Board from 2001 to 2003 and non-executive director of the South West London Strategic Health Authority from 2003 to 2007. Other positions include non-executive director of the Brighton and Sussex University Trust and chair of the Quality and Risk Committee for the Trust since 2013. Farthing became vice-chair for the UK Panel for Research Integrity in Health and Biomedical Sciences; has been Honorary Consultant in Gastroenterology to the British Army since 1991; and is a Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences.
From 1996 to 2002 he served as editor of Gut.