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 undergraduate, early career and senior clinical academic Nurses, Midwives and Allied Healthcare Professionals, aligned with the National Institute for Health Research's (NIHR) ICA Programme objectives and NHS clinical academic strategy. The School's commitment to excellence is reflected in its 96% research rating as internationally excellent or world leading (REF 2021).
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 Dr Kerry Evans, Director of Clinical Academic Careers, Professor Sarah Redsell, Associate Deputy Head of School, Director of Research, Dr Claire Diver, NIHR East Midlands / Pre-Doctoral Programme Lead, and Professor Jane Coad, chair of the Clinical Academic Research Implementation Network (CARIN).
Undergraduate clinical academic opportunities
The School of Health Sciences Dean's Health Sciences Academic Internship 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. Applications open in April / May .
The School hosts an NIHR Undergraduate Internship Programme, 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. Funding has enabled students 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.
In 2024 the School of Health Sciences was awarded NIHR inspiring students into research (INSIGHT) funding for the East Midlands. This is managed by Dr Claire Diver and offers online workshop with final year students and new graduates to introduce them to the full range of research careers, familiarise them with research undertaken in relevant fields and provide support to apply for Masters research studentships. (see below for more details).
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 2024 the School of Health Sciences was awarded NIHR inspiring students into research (INSIGHT) in the East Midlands. This is managed by Dr Claire Diver and provides funding opportunity provides fully funded studentships (FT or 2 years PT; fees plus an individual stipend) for health, social care and public health professionals to undertake masters level research training.
This is supported by other engagement opportunities including visits to research active environments, and expert mentorship. INSIGHT aims to attract new and recent graduates into the range of research careers and opportunities. This can be undertaken immediately on graduating or within 5 years of qualification (applicants do not need to be employed during the studentship).
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.
Our researchers are senior academic panel members for NIHR ICA pathway awards. We have considerable experience in supporting postgraduate Healthcare Professionals to 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 School of Health Sciences studentship provided me protected time for one day per week over six months to work with Professor Helen Spiby and Dr Kerry Evans to prepare a competitive P-CAF application. I developed networks with experienced researchers and identified areas for academic training and development. My 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