How did you get started in research/what inspired you?

I moved to Newcastle after qualifying as a physiotherapist in 1996. I always had in my mind that I would like to complete a formal research qualification after gaining some clinical experience. This would enable me draw on my clinical knowledge and better apply my learning in practice.

In 2004, I was appointed into a new physiotherapy post in the Falls and Syncope Service (FASS) at Newcastle Hospitals. I applied for the role, in part, because I knew that FASS was a research-active unit. With the support of Professor Julia Newton, who was the Lead Physician in FASS at that time, I registered for a part-time Master of Philosophy (MPhil) at Northumbria University in 2005.

I transferred onto a doctoral pathway two years later after obtaining funding from the NIHR Newcastle Biomedical Research Centre, and completed my PhD in 2012.

It was important to me to  continue working in a clinically-facing role after completing my PhD, so I remained in my physiotherapy post in FASS (50%) at the same time as contributing to the delivery of the Master of Clinical Research (MClinRes) at Newcastle University (50%). I was appointed into the Trust’s first AHP Consultant role in 2017.

What do you enjoy about research?

I really enjoy the variety that comes from leading and supporting research as a core part of my clinical role. The best research questions definitely come from observations in the workplace, and continuing to work clinically means that I can apply the best available research evidence in practice for the benefit of patients and the wider health and social care community.

As I have become more senior in my role, I have particularly enjoyed providing mentorship and formal supervisory support to clinical colleagues starting out in their own research careers.

Working with nurses and allied health professionals (AHPs) to develop their ideas into tangible programmes of research and seeing the difference this makes to the clinical services in which they work has been one of the most rewarding and enjoyable aspects of my career to-date.

What training and support have you found most valuable in your career?

I am delighted to be the recent recipient of an NIHR Senior Clinical and Practitioner Research Award (SCPRA). This is a relatively new post-doctoral award from the NIHR that provides funding for up to 2.5 days/week for up to 5 years to support the career development of research-active senior clinicians.

The SCPRA will enable me to continue to develop my clinical and research leadership role within Newcastle Hospitals whilst building a programme of research and improvement activity to support a future NIHR Advanced Clinical and Practitioner Academic Fellowship (ACAF) application.

What people/organisations did you get in touch with to help you

I have continued to develop and maintain strong working relationships with colleagues at Northumbria University since completing my PhD in 2012. I receive formal mentorship as part of my SCPRA in addition to co-supervising clinical members of staff from Newcastle Hospitals undertaking doctoral-level study at Northumbria University.

Newcastle Health Research Partnership (NHRP) have in-depth knowledge and experience of the research landscape at a regional and national level. This was invaluable in helping me develop a successful SCPRA application. Their ongoing guidance and support has been extremely beneficial as I continue to navigate some of the complexities associated with a combined clinical and research role.