Winner revealed! New AHP Research Champion selected
Congratulations to Benjamin Smith, Senior Physiotherapist at University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust, who has recently been named as a NIHR & CAHPR AHP Research Champion.
Advanced Healthcare Practitioner (AHP) Research Champions act as research activists to champion the work of AHPs and to get more AHPs to be aware of and involved in health and social care research for the benefit of patients. AHP Research Champions will act locally and link with their counterparts nationally, acting as role models and connectors for AHP health and social care professionals across a local area.
AHP Research Champions will operate across a Local Clinical Research Network (LCRN) area to lead or support defined AHP research-related activities. They will also work with one other to share learning and gain peer-to-peer support.
Complementing and working closely with existing voluntary AHP leaders across the research system, AHP Research Champions will help to build momentum and maximise the visibility and impact of AHPs in a research context, both locally and nationally.
When asked how he felt upon finding out that his application for the role had been successful, Dr Smith - who is also a NIHR/HEE Clinical Doctoral Research Fellow - said, “I felt very happy to be able to share the excellent work of our local non-medical research network (DBARN), and be able to link with other trusts across the east midlands to share the valuable research AHPs are doing, share good practice, and share funding opportunities.” He continued, “I look forward to 1) increasing the visibility of AHP research leaders, 2) promote research activity and 3) help support and provide supervision for others getting involved in research.”
Well done Ben!