NIHR Applied Research Collaboration's (ARC KSS) Academy has been accepting applications from individuals seeking support to develop applied research projects in health and social care in Kent, Surrey and Sussex.
Individual Development Awards (IDAs) are aimed to support individuals in the development of their projects and enable them to have the dedicated time to conduct any of the activities that will create change and make an impact in their local area(s).
During this second round, 14 IDAs have been awarded to the following:
SpringBoard awards (supported by funding from KSS CRN and HEE South East) - for support to develop applicants own research skills with funding given for a six-month programme of research skills development commencing in January 2022.
- Sandra Dooley, Physiotherapist, University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust
- Sharla Elder, Lead Respiratory Nurse Specialist, University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust
- Brenna Fossey, Speech and Language Therapist, Head of Service and Clinical Lead, East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust
- Jia Hui Gan, Physiotherapy Team Lead/Physiotherapist, Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust
- Nandani Maharaj-Munro, Non-Medical Nurse Prescriber, Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
- Alys Mathers, Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist, East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust
- Emma Meadows, Research Midwife, University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust
Investment in Future Research Leaders - awards for individuals to conduct a small-scale project within an ARC KSS member organisation. Commencing in April 2022 and funded for one-year, projects are closely aligned to one or more of ARC KSS’s research themes.
- Dr Claire Bates, Supported Loving Leader, Choice Support
Supporting autistic people – best practice surrounding sexuality and intimate relationships.
- Abby Dunn, Research Fellow, University of Sussex
Design and Feasibility Trial of a Co-produced Parenting Programme for Inpatients (COPPI) and Supporting autistic people – best practice surrounding sexuality and intimate relationships.
- Dr Natalie Edelman,Principal Research Fellow, University of Brighton
Supporting contraception and parenting choices and associated mental health among asylum seeking and citizen care leavers.
- Dr Nyangi Gityamwi, Post-Doctoral Research Fellow, University of Surrey
Management of Covid-19 related hyperglycaemia (CovHG) in primary care: A pilot and feasibility study to assess service user and clinicians’ experiences, treatment outcomes and the potential for technology-enabled care.
- Dr Todd Leckie, Intensive Care and Anasethetic Research Registrar, University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust
The H3 (home-hospital-home) study – a non-randomised feasibility intervention study investigating a digitally enabled colorectal cancer peri-operative pathway.
- Dr Afrodita Marcu, Research Fellow, University of Surrey
Co-producing an intervention toolkit with and for women of Black African and Black Caribbean descent to promote early presentation with breast cancer symptoms.
- Dr Sam Robertson, Lead Service User and Carer Involvement;
Lead AIR (Approaches to Involvement and Recovery) Research Theme; and Post-Doctoral Researcher, Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
An Exploration of the Experience of Peer Workers in SPFT, with Particular Focus on Emotional Labour, with the Aim of Developing a Good Practice Guide for Peer Working.
Click here for a full list of awardees
Professor Sally Kendall, ARC KSS Career Development Lead, said:
“We are delighted to announce our second cohort of individual development awards. All applications received were of outstanding quality. At ARC KSS, we are 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."
Meet some of our awardees
Dr Claire Bates
Sandra Dooley
Abby Dunn
Dr Natalie Edelman
Sharla Elder
Brenna Fossey
Jia Hui Gan
Dr Nyangi Gityamwi
Dr Todd Leckie
Nandani Maharaj-Munro
Dr Afrodita Marcu
Alys Mathers
Dr Sam Robertson
