Supporting Those New to Research

Diabetes

The Diabetes Specialty has put together a steering group to discuss and share ideas around the provision of mentorship opportunities for early career researchers in the Diabetes field.  A pilot event at the YDEF session during the Diabetes UK conference in March 2019 was organised to understand the support needs of nurses, AHPs and medics, both with and without research experience, and how to better shape future events and activities to support the next generation of diabetes researchers. This was followed by a Diabetes Early Career Workshop in Feb 2020  to further discuss some of the routes, resources and support available to help individuals to undertake clinical research in diabetes.

Benign Urology (Renal Disorders sub-specialty)

The Benign Urology Specialty group has had active engagement at their meetings with representatives from the BURST Research Collaborative which is a research group comprising primarily of Urological Registrars in the UK - now with international reach. Trainees lead on the project proposal, design, delivery, data collection, analysis, and write up. This very interesting and successful model trains a future urological consultant workforce with the skills to deliver clinical studies that can improve patient care.

UK Stroke Research Workshop

In the last three years we have been supporting a two-day workshop attended by over 100 delegates and aimed at early career researchers, showcasing the latest stroke research from acute care to rehabilitation, neurointerventional techniques. The latest workshop which took place virtually in September 2020 was attended by 225 delegates.

GAINS: The Global Alliance of Independent Networks focused on Stroke trials which wishes to accelerate the pace and success of stroke clinical trials by developing and facilitating collaborations between stroke trial networks.The Cluster supported UK early career researchers attending the GAINS meeting at the last World Stroke Forum in Montreal where trainees pitched their research ideas in a forum of more experienced researchers to make connections and form collaborations.

Associate Principle Investigator Scheme

The Associate Principal Investigator (PI) Scheme aims to develop junior doctors, nurses and allied health professionals to become the PIs of the future and provides formal recognition of a trainee's engagement in NIHR Portfolio research studies through the conferment of Associate PI status endorsed by the NIHR and the following medical Royal Colleges:

• Royal College of Anaesthetists

• Royal College of Emergency Medicine

• Royal College of Physicians

• Royal College of Radiologists

• Royal College of Surgeons (England)

Cluster F leads on this initiative. Find out more by visiting the Cluster F page or the API Scheme page on the NIHR website.

NIHR Incubator in Emergency Medicine

The creation of an NIHR incubator in Emergency Care, coordinated by the Royal College of Emergency Medicine, supported by the  CRN TEC Specialty and delivered by NIHR Academy, aims to unite existing resources to develop a national community focused on delivering multi-professional academic training in Emergency Care. The network will offer senior mentorship regardless of geography; bespoke training resources tailored to those working in challenging Emergency Care environments; and enhanced support for the design, delivery and dissemination of research. This will maximize academic career opportunities in a vital field for future NHS sustainability. Contact Cluster C for more information.

Dermatology and Wound Nurse Principle Investigator Training Program

Supported by the Cluster Office and developed by Prof. Jane Nixon (CRN Wound Lead, Leeds CTRU) and Prof. Steven Ersser (BDNG), the Dermatology Nurse Principal Investigator (PI) Training Program aims to build capacity in the dermatology specialty (including Tissue Viability) through nurse development and support to fulfill PI roles. 

Mental Health, Dementias and Neurological Disorders Principle Investigator Training Program

Coming Soon!

NIHR Clinical Research Training Programme

This exciting and innovative programme offers comprehensive training in how to understand, participate in, and lead clinical research as a future consultant. The NIHR and BSG supported course is suitable for all trainees in Gastroenterology and Hepatology, and does not require time out of training. The CRTP will be available from November 2022, and must be completed by July 2023.

There are three components to the course:

1. Hands on involvement with your local research team – gain experience in the delivery of NIHR portfolio studies and recruiting patients via the NIHR Associate PI Scheme

2. Online course – covering the principles and practice of clinical research, statistics and critical appraisal

3. Group event – converting clinical problems into research questions (spring 2023 – date to be confirmed)

The flyer attached includes information on how to register interest, and further details on the course itself which has been organised by Lynsey Corless (National Specialty Lead) and William Rosenberg (Deputy Medical Director).  

Respiratory Early Career Researcher Network: INSPIRE

The INSPIRE Respiratory Early Career Researcher (ECR) Network aims to create a vibrant, dynamic and inclusive community to facilitate a collaborative approach to perform clinical research and high-quality audits on a national scale for the benefit of patients with respiratory disease.   

In the process of establishing and conducting these research activities, members will develop their research skills, gain career mentorship and establish and strengthen regional and national collaborations between institutions, and between specialties. 

The network and steering committee will have access to a senior counsel consisting of a panel of established senior clinical academics who can provide advice and guidance on the suitability of proposed projects and audits, and other aspects of running the network. 

A sandpit event will be held on the 2023  for ECRs to pitch research proposals for the network to support and deliver nationally. Further details on the Sandpit Event will be shared in due course. 

For more information about the network please visit the INSPIRE website. 

New to Research Google Site

Cluster C and Cluster E with support from the our National Specialty Groups and the Communications Team have led on developing a resource for those who are new to research. The Google Site aims to bring together the various guidance and training resources the NIHR offers to clinical staff (doctors, nurses, and AHPs) and social care and public health professionals who are new to research. It also provides links to some of our stakeholder resources.

The Google Site is currently undergoing review but will be published soon!