Clinical Academic Training for Nurses, Midwives and Allied Health Professionals
"A clinical academic is a health professional who is engaged concurrently in both clinical and academic activities and can provide clinical leadership in the pursuit of excellent evidence based healthcare" (Council of Deans)
The School of Health Sciences recognise the critical importance of integrated clinical academic careers to address the needs of modern health and social care. Our clinical academic pathway provides outstanding opportunities progress your career at the cutting-edge of healthcare research. The School offers opportunities for growth and development for undergraduate, early career and senior clinical academic Nurses, Midwives and Allied healthcare professionals. Our integrated clinical academic career pathway aligns seamlessly with the National Institute for Health Research's (NIHR) ICA Programme objectives, Allied Health Professions' Research and Innovation Strategy,
the Chief Nursing Officer's and Chief Midwifery Officer's strategic plan for research. The School's commitment to excellence is reflected in its 96% research rating as internationally excellent or world leading.
As a clinical academic trainee, you will be immersed within inclusive, vibrant and world-leading research groups, gaining exposure to cutting-edge projects. You will have opportunity to lead your own research, progressing your clinical area of expertise with supervision and mentorship from leading healthcare researchers. Strategic support is provided by Professor Sarah Redsell, Associate Deputy Head of School, Director of Research, Dr Kerry Evans, Director of Clinical Academic Careers, and Professor Jane Coad, chair of the Clinical Academic Research Implementation Network (CARIN).
Undergraduate clinical academic opportunities
In 2021, the School of Health Sciences launched The Dean's Health Sciences Academic Internship. This offers a unique opportunity for Nurses, Midwives and Allied Health Professionals between their 2nd and 3rd year of undergraduate study to consider a Clinical Academic Career, being nurtured and mentored by highly experienced and qualified researchers and teachers from the six health science research groups. Applications open in April / May .
In April 2024, the School of Health Sciences was awarded funding in the first round of the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Undergraduate Internship Programme. The scheme is designed to engage and attract students from underrepresented professions (Nurses, Midwives and Allied Health Professionals) in the early stages of their academic studies to consider a career in health and social care research. The funding provided by the scheme will enable three students from the school to undertake a paid internship for up to 8 weeks under the supervision of Dr Dominic O'Connor, Dr Fiona Moffatt and Professor Cath Sackley. Find out more.
Early career clinical academic opportunities
The School of Health Sciences has a leading reputation in nurturing early career clinical academics with a track record of success rate in supporting HEE-NIHR Pre-doctoral Clinical and Practitioner Academic Fellowships. As a Clinical Academic trainee, you will be offered bespoke and specialist support to access an increasing range of internships, studentships and bridging awards from local and national organisations and leading charities. For example:
In 2023 the school introduced an Early Career Clinical Academic Studentship award, providing short placements to receive bespoke training and research opportunities to develop competitive research training applications. Studentships are offered to clinicians from underrepresented ethnic minority communities to support an inclusive pipeline for future clinical academic leaders.
EM.INSIGHT
In Summer 2024 the school launched the NIHR EM.INSIGHT scholarship - Inspiring Students into Research. This new award provides opportunities for funded Research Masters Studentships for nurses, midwives, allied health professionals, pharmacists, healthcare scientists, social work and public health professionals.
Find out more
Doctoral and post-doctoral clinical academic opportunities
The School of Health Sciences provides a vibrant research community for Senior Clinical Academic award holders to succeed. Our research has a truly international outlook and wide-ranging impacts on society, the economy, health and welfare, culture, public policy and the environment. The academic success and personal development of each postgraduate clinical academic is very important to us. We are committed to excellence in our supervision, and in our training programmes. We have considerable experience in supporting postgraduate Nurses, Midwives and Clinical Academic prepare competitive applications for personal awards and to deliver successful programmes of research. The School of Health Sciences alumni include HEE/NIHR D-CAF and charity funded doctoral fellows and post-doctoral HEE/NIHR awardees (ACAF) in Nursing and Midwifery. We have established collaborations with partner NHS organisations to provide bespoke mentorship and support truly integrated clinical academic career trajectory.
Case studies
Vikki Barrett
Senior Midwife
Completed a studentship in 2023 and awarded a NIHR P-CAF (Sept 23-Sept 24)
I have 19 years of clinical experience as a midwife and have always been committed to evidence based care. Research is fundamental to practice and becoming a clinical academic midwife enables me to actively participate in research and shape practice.
The studentship helped me to develop networks with experienced researchers and identify areas for academic training and development. I am currently completing the NIHR P-CAF award focused on psychological trauma following childbirth.
Psychological trauma following birth has widespread implications and is a significant public health concern. Yet, more research is required into prevention strategies.
Midwives and maternity care professionals have limited or no access to trauma-informed care education, my research will focus on raising awareness and developing training in this area.
Applying for clinical academic awards with the School of Health Sciences
It is a good idea to identify your academic supervisors early in the application process and start discussions with your employer about your career plans.
For applicants applying for NIHR awards via the ARAMIS application system, follow NIHR research training guidance and the School of Health Sciences guidance.
Guidance for EM.INSIGHT awards is available on our website.