Clare Aitken's research experience

I lead the direct delivery team (DDT) for NIHR Clinical Research Network North East and North Cumbria (NENC) across the three main hubs in Middlesbrough, Newcastle and North Cumbria. I am also the lead for social care research in the NENC Local Clinical Research Network senior management team.

The direct delivery team (agile team) supports research across a broad range of wider care and community settings including schools, hospices, dental and charities for example. The team is part of a local and national transformation of research initiative to  respond to the health needs of local people and work proactively with under-served communities who don’t currently access healthcare and/or don’t take part in health research, ultimately making research accessible for all. 

To make this happen we work with partners across the health and care system and in local communities to build an innovative, flexible and inclusive research infrastructure.

I joined the NIHR in 2021 and have worked in leadership roles in various settings including the private sector, local government, community and voluntary sector and the commissioning and performance management of public health services.

Ruth McGovern's research experience

I am an NIHR post doctoral research fellow and lecturer in public health research at the Population Health Sciences Institute at Newcastle University. My research aims to improve both health and social needs through the reduction of lifestyle risk and promotion of social justice.

The focus of my work is upon children, parents and families and substance misuse. Substance misusing parents and their children are among the most disadvantaged within society. My work seeks to benefit this highly vulnerable population through evidenced-based decision making, policy and practice. A key strand of my work is concerned with developing and evaluating behaviour change interventions to reduce alcohol and drug use.

My research examines the feasibility and effectiveness of public health interventions with a wide range of populations and in various settings, often outside of the NHS. I have a professional background in social work; a profession which engages and intervenes with the most disadvantaged populations in society. I am committed to enhancing scientific knowledge through the development of evidenced-based interventions within the social care setting. I have a professional background in social work and counselling. Throughout my professional career I specialised in drug and alcohol treatment, working in a range of therapeutic and social care settings.