Research Champions
Introduction
A Research Champion (RC) is someone who volunteers their time to help the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Clinical Research Network (CRN) spread the word about health and care research to patients and the public.
Research Champions are passionate about getting more people involved in research so that we can develop better care and treatment for everyone. Through their important work, Research Champions help us promote research in health and social care services, and across society more widely.
If you are passionate about the difference health research can make to people’s health by developing new treatments and care, and preventing illness, then you could become a Research Champion.
If you would like to find out more information about the Research Champion programme, please click here.
Useful Links
Please see below various links to help you within your role as a Research Champion, including courses on NIHR Learn. Please note, if for any reason you do not have an NIHR Learn account, you will need to create one before starting. This can be done using this link.
Championing Research: An Introduction For Research, Community & Join Dementia Research Champions
This course provides an introduction to health and social care research, the NIHR, safeguarding and data privacy.
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI)
in Health and Social Care
research
This course has been developed to give you more information about why some groups are underserved in clinical research, why this matters, and what can be done about it.
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CRN East Midlands Community Website:
RC Page
This website has been developed to facilitate both the members of the research community as well as those of the general public. At the core of the website there are a number of resources, information about NIHR campaigns, as well as about our various divisions, newsletters, CRN EM news and much more.
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Introduction to Good Clinical Practice (GCP) ELearning
This course is for people supporting clinical research delivery at the NHS, UK universities and other publicly funded organisations in England. GCP is the agreed international standard for conducting clinical research.
Public Partnerships Induction for Public Contributors
An Introduction and Practical Guide to Community Engagement and Involvement in Global Health Research
This is a free online course on community engagement and involvement (CEI) in global health research. The aim of this course is to develop learners' understanding and knowledge of CEI, supporting their ability to plan and design ethical and impactful CEI in health research.
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Case studies
Please see below various case studies highlighting some of the wonderful work our Research Champions are involved with in the East Midlands. Feel free to contact us if you are interested in discussing a potential case study on your work as a Research Champion. We would be delighted to hear from you!
Latest Updates
Keep updated with our Research Champion’s recent activities below:
Congratulations to Amanda on Receiving the UK DCTN Honorary Lifetime Membership Award (July 2024)
I am thrilled to extend heartfelt congratulations to Amanda Roberts for being awarded with the UK Dermatology Clinical Trials Network (DCTN) Honorary Lifetime Membership Award. This award recognises her exceptional contributions to dermatology research and her unwavering dedication to improving patient care.
Congratulations once again, Amanda. Your contributions have truly made a lasting impact. Thank you for all you do to support better dermatology research!
Research Forum held March 20 2024
David Batchelor, a CRN East Midlands Research Champion, held a stall at the Research Forum in March 2024.
The event was a resounding success, with overwhelmingly positive feedback received from attendees. Photos from the event have been uploaded onto the Research Forum website here.
Thank you David for helping us spread the word about research!
Research Champions Afternoon Tea held Monday 15th January, 2024
The Clinical Research Network East Midlands, had the pleasure of hosting afternoon tea earlier this month as a way of saying ‘thank you’ to our Research Champions for all the work that they have done across the region.
As well as having the opportunity to meet up in person, it was a great afternoon where lots of ideas were shared, cake was enjoyed and a chance to discuss upcoming events and activities.
As a means of sharing our Research Champions stories, short videos were also recorded on the day about what it means to be a Research Champion.
Video to follow shortly.
Events
Find upcoming events that are relevant to the Research Champion role below:
The next quarterly Research Champions meeting is due to be held virtually n September.
A meeting invite will be sent out in advance
Supporting Events
Our Research Champions support various events such as:
Research Forum, 20th March 2024
Our Research Champions held a stall during the Research Forum
To find out more click the link below:
https://new.express.adobe.com/webpage/Ltlk9cyaMSe25
CRN East Midlands Research Awards, 6th March 2024
Some of our Research Champions have been involved in the judging panel
To find out more click the link below:
https://sites.google.com/nihr.ac.uk/crn-em-research-awards-2024/home
Nottingham Festival of Science and Curiosity, 5th - 16th February 2024
One of our Research Champions took part and supported the event by holding a stand on behalf of Centre of Evidence Based Dermatology.
To find out more click the link below:
Resources
We have compiled various resources that are relevant to the role of a Research Champion/Public Contributor such as a list of common NIHR acronyms, and an information pack.
We would appreciate all our Research Champions filling out our Activities Form. This allows us to keep updated on all of the activities that are being done across the region. When filling out the form, please include the time frame that these activities took place so that we have a full picture of what you are involved in and when:
Research Champions job description
Public Contributor information pack
Click here to read an information pack about public contributors’ involvement in PPIE activities.
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Expenses
We will cover any reasonable expenses required for you to take part in any activities with us.These typically include costs of travel and refreshments, and sometimes accommodation and childcare. If you want to have your expenses reimbursed you will need to provide original receipts for everything that you have paid for. If you are not sure if an expense can be covered, check with the member of staff organising your involvement before spending any money. You will also need to fill out an invoice form which we will provide for you.
Contact Details
Natalia Bellot
Communications and Engagement & Patient / Public Involvement/Engagement (PPI/E) Lead
natalia.bellot@nihr.ac.uk
Beth Winter
Communications & PPI Officer
bethany.winter@nihr.ac.uk