Hear from NIHR Senior Investigators

Working across a diverse range of health, public health and social care professions, a group of NIHR Senior Investigators share the impact this role has had on their research and career.

In the photo from left to right are: Professor Rebecca Kearney, Professor Solomon Tesfaye, Professor Alys Young, Professor Darren M Ashcroft and Professor Soo Downe. 

Professor Rebecca Kearney

Professor Rebecca Kearney is a Director of Bristol Trials Centre, Director of Bristol Trials Centre.

"As an academic physiotherapist, I have seen the direct impact that NIHR has on patient and public health and social care. It has been an absolute pleasure to contribute to that impact through NIHR funded research, fellowships and committee roles.

"NIHR has supported my career development and provided me with a platform to push forward research in trauma and orthopaedic rehabilitation interventions. As a Senior Investigator, I am committed to supporting future academic allied health professionals.

"I am leading the design and delivery of clinical trials. My primary focus has been trials that evaluate the clinical and cost effectiveness of rehabilitation interventions in the area of trauma and orthopaedic rehabilitation."

Professor Solomon Tesfaye

Professor Solomon Tesfaye MB ChB, MD, FRCP is a Research Director - Academic Directorate of Diabetes & Endocrinology, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals and the University of Sheffield.

"As a full time NHS consultant, it is increasingly challenging to have the time to conduct high quality clinical research and mentor young researchers to achieve higher degrees. NIHR funding has allowed me to establish myself as a clinical academic within the NHS with research programmed activities in my job plan.

"With the NIHR Senior Investigator award, I can contribute further to the growth of clinical researchers in the NHS. Most Senior Investigators are University employees with honorary NHS contracts. I hope this inspires other NHS consultants to consider the application.

"When filling the application, I would recommend speaking with someone who has gone through the process. If you don’t achieve it the first time, please don’t be put off, as many succeed after repeat applications."

Professor Alys Young

Professor Alys Young, PhD, FAcSS, MSc (Oxon.), MA (Cantab.), CQSW, is based at University of Manchester, School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work.

"I applied to be a Senior Investigator because I wanted to see more academics represented who are registered social workers.  My research biography has the dynamics of marginalisation and minority language use at its core in understanding how ordinary citizens engage with health and social care services.

"I want to encourage more work about redressing inequalities that arise from structural not just interpersonal discriminations and want to challenge more people with unusual CVs and diverse identities to come forward and lead."

Professor Darren M Ashcroft

Professor Darren M Ashcroft, BPharm MSc PhD FRPharmS, is a Professor of Pharmacoepidemiology at the School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine & Health, University of Manchester.

"I am absolutely delighted to have been designated as a  Senior Investigator. Throughout my pharmacy career, I have been deeply committed to improving patient safety in health and social care settings.

"This award is not just for me, but also for my wonderful team that have supported the growth of our programme of research, and for the people who have guided and taken part in our research, making sure it is relevant and impactful. Receiving this award strengthens my passion to keep pushing the boundaries of the NIHR’s mission to improve the future health of our nation, especially for those in greatest need."

Professor Soo Downe

Professor Soo Downe, BA(Hons), RM, MSc, PhD, OBE, is based at University of Central Lancashire, UK.

"I have spent 15 years working as a clinical and research midwife in Derby before joining University of Central Lancashire in 2001, where I am now the Professor of Midwifery Studies, and an Associate Dean for Research and Knowledge Exchange.

"My reason for applying for the NIHR Senior Investigator award was to expand the very small group of midwives who have been appointed as NIHR Senior Investigators, as a way of illustrating the breadth, depth, and unique perspective of research undertaken by midwives and midwifery research leaders, and to increase the visibility of this work.

"I hope that in my Senior Investigator role, I can inspire and support researchers from all backgrounds to build programmes of work that take this approach and, as a result,  create solutions to currently intractable problems in health and social care design and delivery in maternity care and beyond.

"My advice to potential applicants is to recognise your strengths, and what impact your work has had to date, including both in practice, and in capacity building. Where you are doing something a bit different to the norm, don't be afraid to put this in the application - but make sure you can show the practical utility, both now and in the future."

Find out more about the NIHR Senior Investigator award and who is eligible to apply.