The Trainee Research Network will facilitate collaborative working and support across existing trainee research networks, both regionally and nationally. It aims to increase the opportunities for trainees to carry out child health research, and provide peer support and guidance.
Background
In 2018 we at RCPCH published the report, Turning the Tide: five years on, which highlighted some of the many positive developments in UK basic science and clinical research. However, we also identified some worrying trends, such as the decrease in academic paediatricians at senior lecturer grade, and the limited amount of time (often zero) that paediatricians of all grades have for research in their job plans, the inadequate representation of children’s interests in the UK life sciences industries strategy and few paediatricians on national research boards and committees.
Following the report's publication, we committed to a continued focus on developing child health research and supporting paediatricians at every career stage to build capability and capacity to carry out research.
Aims of this network
- Increase the visibility of existing trainee research networks
- Help the development of new trainee paediatric research networks in areas where they do not currently exist
- Increase the opportunities for trainees to carry out research
- Provide trainees with peer support and guidance to develop their own research ideas
- Allow trainees to be a driving force behind recent strides in collaborative research
- Initiate and support research projects which paediatric trainees are able to participate in
- Support trainees to develop research skills (eg statistics, ethical approval, writing research reports for publication, administrative support) and confidence in research
- Allow trainees in regions to come together to address local clinical questions as well as contributing towards large-scale NIHR (National Institute for Health Research) portfolio studies
- Allow conception and conduction of pan-UK projects
Resources and opportunities
Academic toolkit - This resource includes funding application checklists, tips on writing your PhD application and case studies from those already in research.
Research funding opportunities - We support and promote paediatric child health research in the UK and internationally. Search our database of current and upcoming opportunities for projects and posts.
Academic Trainees Day - A free, online event, hosted with the support of NIHR. We had our fifth annual event this year, and it last took place on 3 November 2021. Delegates heard from a range of experts and had an opportunity to network with others.
Support
We support other trainee research networks across the UK, including:
- Paediatric Research Across the Midlands (PRAM) – a paediatric trainee-led audit, quality improvement and research collaborative in the West Midlands.
- Peninsula Trainees Research, Audit & Innovation Network (PenTRAIN) – a trainee-led network promoting research and audit in paediatric trainees in the South West Peninsula.
- Welsh Research and Education Network (WREN) – a trainee-led, consultant-supported network enabling trainees to lead multi-centre research, audit and service evaluation projects in Wales.
Network members
Task & Finish Group Co-Chairs
- Dr Eva Wooding - South West
- Dr Hannah Vawda - West Midlands
- Dr Helen McDermott - West Midlands
- Dr Christopher Course - Wales
Task & Finish Group Members
- Dr Emily Cottrell - England
- Dr Thiloka Ratnaike - East of England
- Dr Rebecca Unsworth - London
- Dr Susan Wallace - London
- Dr Julianne Sanner - Midlands
- Dr Sunil Bhopal - North East and Yorkshire
- Dr Aisling Flinn - North East and Yorkshire
- Dr Aimee Donald - North West
- Dr Frances Callaghan - North West
- Dr Christopher Worth - North West
- Dr Maya Kohli-Lynch - South West
- Dr Olivia Swann - Scotland
- Dr Fiona McQuaid - Scotland
- Dr Maura Scott - Northern Ireland
Contact
If you have any queries about this network, contact the Research & Evidence team at research@rcpch.ac.uk or by phone at 0207 092 6080.