Laurence Taggart is a nurse and psychologist who recently joined Queens University Belfast as Professor of Implementation Science. Prior to this, he spent over 20 years at Ulster University, where he held the position of Professor of Intellectual Disability Research and led the Centre for Neurodevelopmental and Intellectual Disabilities. His research primarily focuses on the health inequalities and inequities faced by individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in accessing healthcare services. He also has a keen interest in the development, testing, and implementation of interventions within complex healthcare systems.

Currently, Professor Taggart is the Chief Investigator (CI) on a major UK-based NIHR-funded RCT on a structured Type 2 diabetes education programme for adults with intellectual disabilities. Additionally, Laurence is Co-PI on five other NIHR-funded RCTs, all aimed at improving the outcomes for children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and their carers. Over the course of his career, Laurence has secured more than £20 million in research funding and has published over 200 peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters.

Laurence has held prominent roles in professional bodies, including the Royal Society of Medicine and the Royal College of Nursing, and served as an Expert Advisor to NICE on the needs of older adults with intellectual disabilities. He is currently an Executive Committee Member, and the Liaison Officer to the WHO, for IASSIDD. Laurence serves as Co-Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Policy and Practice in Intellectual Disabilities. 

In recognition of his significant international contributions in the field of intellectual and developmental disabilities research and practice, Laurence was awarded a distinguished Fellowship of IASSIDD.