The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Applied Research Collaboration Kent, Surrey and Sussex (ARC KSS) has been accepting applications from individuals from member organisations to develop research leadership skills through conducting a small scale applied health or social care research project.

In the latest round of awards, seven individuals have been selected for the Investment in Future Research Leaders awards.  Commencing January-April 2023, and funded for one-year, projects are closely aligned to one or more of ARC KSS’s research themes.

  • Dr Sarah Combes, Research Fellow (University of Surrey) and Associate Clinical Nurse Specialist (St Christopher’s), University of Surrey and St Christopher’s Hospice

Conversations on living and dying: Facilitating advance care planning with older people
living with advancing frailty. Project starts May 2023.

  • Tim Cook, Advance Practice MSK Physiotherapist and Senior Lecturer in Physiotherapy, Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust and University of Chichester

The importance of force output testing and specificity of exercise prescription in the management of rotator cuff-related shoulder pain.

  • Dr Neesha Gunowa, Senior Lecturer, University of Surrey

Qualitative perspectives on the early identification of pressure ulcers in people with dark skin tones.

  • Dr Rebecca Karkia, Senior Research Fellow in Gynaecological Oncology
    PhD Doctoral candidate, Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust

Life-long risk factors for endometrial cancer; validation of a risk stratification algorithm using real-life data from a large population-based database.

  • Lisa Richardson, Research Associate, University of Kent

Pilot evaluation of the ‘be a leader’ leadership training for people with learning disabilities.

  • Dr Gayatri Shah, Consultant Counselling Psychologist, Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

A comparison of structured clinical management (SCM) versus systems training for emotional predictability and problem solving (STEPPS) for clients with personality disorder.  Project starts May 2023.

Professor Sally Kendall, ARC KSS Career Development Lead, said:
“We are delighted to announce our latest cohort of Investment in Future Research awards.  All applications received were of outstanding quality.  We are always keen to fund individuals who are working towards projects that show potential to influence change in practice for the better.

“By supporting individuals at an early stage of idea development, we hope to increase the support available for researchers who struggle with dedicated time to commit to developing their own research ideas or career.

“All projects selected have a clear path for evaluating the outcomes and benefits of an intervention or change in care that aligns with our local priorities and has the potential to bring about positive change locally or regionally.

"Throughout the course of the year, we will provide a bespoke programme of support to the applicants including an academic and/or health or social care professional mentor." 

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