The RCPCH TRN have had a busy start to the year, members of the RCPCH TRN attended the RCPCH Conference in March 2025, The Scottish Paediatric Researchers in Training (SPRINT) network hosted a clinical academic day in March 2025, members supported the organisation of the event ‘Research Essentials Day for Paediatricians in training’ which took place on 17 June 2025 and members have been running regular monthly Trainee Research Network Education Seminars (TREES).
RCPCH TRN Co-Chairs share their highlights
Dr Fran Callaghan says
Being part of the RCPCH Trainee Research Network has been such a brilliant experience this year. My highlight was the RCPCH Conference in Glasgow. Finally meeting other residents in person, sharing ideas, and seeing just how much amazing work is going on across the network. It was inspiring, energising, and made me feel proud to be part of something so forward-thinking and collaborative. The TRN is about more than just research, it’s a supportive community with an aim to help people grow and connect.
Dr Eva Wooding says
For me the highlight from the year is having the opportunity to engage directly with current and potential TRN members via College events like the conference, research training days and TREES seminars. The passion and enthusiasm from paediatricians is second to none! It’s so inspiring to hear about people fantastic research ideas and clinical questions brought directly from the coalface of clinical work and to share in our learning. As residents we are in a fantastic position to identify ways to make things better and research is such a powerful way to do just that.
TRN activities at RCPCH Conference 2025
This year, we were delighted to have RCPCH TRN members, Dr Eva Wooding, Dr Fran Callaghan and Dr Eva Loucaides attend the RCPCH Annual Conference in Scotland. Dressed up in lab coats, they took post by the RCPCH Main Stand and engaged in conversations with attendees about the work of the TRN and ways to get involved in research. It was great to see so many residents attend the Conference and the reception on the first day, provided a lovely opportunity to further network with everyone!
The RCPCH Conference provided a platform for regional TRN members to share their research projects with others. Presentations were delivered by members from the London TRN (REACH) on ‘Protected time for Supporting Professional Activity (SPA)’ and ‘Initiatives to promote equality, diversity and inclusion’ and a member from the East of England TRN (CHEERI), presented on ‘Addressing disparities in paediatric genetic testing’.
Research projects were also showcased during the RCPCH Conference as a poster display, including projects completed by members from regional TRNs in Yorkshire and Humber (BRIDGE), South West – Severn (SPARQ), South West – Peninsula (PenTRAIN) and North West – Mersey (ChaMP). View the selection of posters which were on display.
Scottish Paediatric Clinical Academic Day 2025
The Scottish Paediatric Clinical Academic Meeting took place on 31 March 2025, in person at the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People in Edinburgh. The event was organised by the regional TRN in Scotland, SPRINT. Dr Alex Fletcher, Chair of SPRINT provides insight into the day.
In the 2nd Scottish Paediatric Clinical Academic Meeting, we had inspirational and expert paediatric research speakers providing stories from their journey, and how paediatric residents can be supported in Scotland. We also had small group workshops aimed at honing presentation skills and developing how to approach the next research project with expert feedback, and an expert panel discussion on how to stay inspired and not burnt out!
Research Essentials Day for Paediatricians in Training
On the 17 June, 157 individuals attended the RCPCH online learning event ‘Research Essentials Day for Paediatricians in training’. The event is aimed at supporting residents with little or no experience with research to learn more about research, we had presentations on: networking for imposters, personal experiences with research, how to incorporate research into your clinical training, writing conference abstracts, an introduction to the TRN, research methodology, understanding basic statistics, writing research questions and how to get published. Members of the RCPCH TRN were involved in organising the day, leading sessions and chairing the event.
What attendees enjoyed about the event:
The variety of topics that simplified the scary myths about research.
Very stimulating and informative session.
The approachability of speakers who encouraged us to ask questions but also made the work of academics less terrifying!
If you were unable to attend the event or would like to re-watch the content, you can view the recordings on the RCPCH Learning Platform.
Trainee Research Network Education Seminars (TREES)
TREES is a monthly series of seminars aimed at supporting resident doctors to get involved in research and meet key capabilities from the Progress+ curriculum's research and scholarship domain. Seminars are hosted by regional TRNs across the UK and take place on the last Tuesday of the month, so far this year we have covered the following topics:
- Antimicrobial Stewardship in Paediatrics: Bridging Clinical Practice and Research
- Setting up Peer-to-Peer Research Skills Development Programmes: Lessons learnt from the London School of Paediatrics
- Overcoming Barriers to Research in Paediatrics: The Role of Mentorship
- How To Get Published
Find out more, register for the series and catch up on previous content
You can find out more about the RCPCH TRN, regional TRNs and how to get involved in our work by visiting the Trainee Research Network page or contact us at research@rcpch.ac.uk.