Hannah is on track to become a research leader of the future
Hannah Baker, specialist metabolic dietitian and early career researcher at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, has become the only Allied Health Professional (AHP) from the East Midlands to be selected for the NIHR’s developing research leaders’ programme for AHPs
Hannah, who works at Nottingham Children’s Hospital, is one of just 24 nationwide AHPs to be awarded the research leader development fellowship. Successful candidates work in a wide variety of AHP roles including dietitians, music therapists, occupational therapists and physiotherapists, and are based at NHS trusts located across England.
The NIHR funded programme aims to help AHPs become research leaders and enabling them to make a difference in their organisations and beyond. This year is the first the research leadership programme - previously provided to nurses and midwives - has been extended to AHPs.
Dr Alison Cowley, Associate Chief Allied Health Professional for Research & Innovation, praised Hannah’s “amazing achievement” in being selected for a competitive national programme.
Hannah previously went through the NUH Chief AHPs Programme, during which she completed a research study relating to paediatric home feeding, which sparked her passion for research.
She said she was “bowled over” to be chosen by the NIHR for the three-year national programme, which attracted over 120 applications.
“The importance of AHP-led research shouldn’t be dismissed. I’m keen to champion equitable and inclusive research practices, ensuring the AHP workforce voices are heard,” said Hannah.
“As AHPs within patient-facing roles, we have a unique insight into how services can be improved for patient benefit. Having a clear research pathway will enable our AHPs to turn their insight and experience into tangible, evidence-based research for service improvement.”
Hannah’s aim is to build on current research success at NUH, by increasing the number of clinical dietitians’ involvement, in both academic and commercial research. Her goal is to build a bespoke pathway designed to identify, nurture and support research potential.
Once this is established, Hannah envisions this pathway could be used by other AHP specialities at NUH and beyond.