Keele researchers win coveted NIHR research awards
A senior leader from Keele's Clinical Trials Unit and a senior researcher in long term health conditions have been featured on two prestigious lists published by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR).
Sarah A Lawton, Head of Operations for Keele CTU, and Dr Emma Healey, Reader in Long-Term Conditions, are among the researchers from across the UK to be named in the NIHR20 Research Leaders Prizes lists published to celebrate the NIHR's 20th anniversary.
The prizes celebrate and recognise outstanding individuals who lead and deliver research across health and social care.
Sarah was named on the Rising Research Leaders list for this award, while Emma was featured on the Research Delivery Leaders list.
Sarah was recognised thanks to her work leading Keele’s Clinical Trials Unit. She has progressed from Trial Manager to Head of Operations at Keele CTU, where she now leads a large operational team and manages an operational research portfolio of around £10 million.
She is also Chair of the UK Trial Managers' Network (UKTMN), helping to build national research capacity and workforce development in trial management. She works closely across the NIHR and wider health research infrastructure, as well as making research more accessible to the public through community outreach activities, to help people understand research.
Sarah said: "I am delighted to receive this recognition from the NIHR. It reflects the dedication and collaboration of the fantastic teams and colleagues I have worked with throughout my career to date, and my passion for supporting and advocating for Trial Managers and delivering high-quality, inclusive health research."
Emma's recognition honours her experience leading research to improve long-term condition management in primary care. As the NIHR West Midlands Regional Research Delivery Network Musculoskeletal (MSK) and Orthopaedic Specialty Lead, she has played a leading role in expanding MSK research capacity, and established the West Midlands MSK and Orthopaedic Research Collaborative.
Her research has informed practice through international implementation and has focused on reducing health inequalities, particularly for underserved populations.
Emma said: "I am delighted to have been selected as winner of a Research Delivery Leader Prize. Being recognised by the NIHR for my Research Leadership is a real highlight in my career. Having the panel also acknowledge the quality and impact of my research is fantastic, and I am so grateful to all the research teams that I have worked with which have supported me to develop my research leadership skills."
Professor Lucy Chappell, Chief Scientific Adviser at the Department of Health and Social Care and Chief Executive Officer of NIHR, added: “These prizes highlight the exceptional talent and dedication found across our health and care research community. Our winners represent the best of research leadership, driving life-changing improvements for patients - nationally and internationally - and tackling inequalities head-on.
“Our research workforce is critical to sustaining UK research capability and ensuring innovation is translated into better care and outcomes for patients. The UK's strength in research depends on the people who lead, deliver and apply it.
As we mark 20 years of the NIHR, we are proud to celebrate these outstanding individuals who are strengthening health and social care and making research more inclusive. The quality of the field was outstanding, and every winner should be immensely proud.”
