Dr Clark takes up her post in August 2022 from her position as Executive Editor of The Lancet.

Her appointment marks a return to The BMJ after a gap of 15 years, having held the positions of Editorial Registrar and Assistant then Associate Editor from 2002-2007.

The BMJ highlighted Dr Clark’s expertise and leadership in advancing action on the social determinants of health and climate change, gender equality, and delivering evidence-based content, policy, and strategy across international editorial environments.

Prior to The Lancet, she has held senior editorial roles at global health research organisation icddr,b in Dhaka, Bangladesh, and also at PLOS Medicine.

In 2019 she was elected to the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh and the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences for her role in advancing international perspectives and gender equity in health.

She is also an advisor to Global Health 50/50 and WomenLift Health, Chair of the Governance Council of the Canadian Medical Association Journal, and a member of the WHO Research Group on Health Statistics.

Dr Kamran Abbasi, editor in chief of The BMJ, said: “We’re delighted that Jocalyn is back at The BMJ as international editor. This is an important time for championing health and wellbeing globally by focusing on issues of equity and social justice. Jocalyn brings a wealth of senior editorial experience in those areas. Her standing in global health will be central to advancing The BMJ as an international journal in the years ahead. Jocalyn’s new role at The BMJ is good news for us, for readers, and for authors.”

Dr Clark added: “I believe passionately in the role of journals and editors to stimulate debate and drive positive change in clinical and research communities around the world. I strongly support The BMJ and Kamran Abbasi’s ambitious and vital vision to improve the health and wellbeing of people and the planet. Twenty years after starting my editorial career at The BMJ, I’m honoured and thrilled to be re-joining a team with such an impressive track record of publishing excellence and integrity.”