Events

Keele University hosted its inaugural Winter Academic NIHR Symposium on 30th Jan 2026, created to complement the Regional IAT Research Retreat (6-7th July) and provide a dedicated space for NIHR (National Institute for Health and Care Research) trainees to connect, reflect and develop their academic careers.
The symposium brought together trainees, supervisors and academic leaders from across disciplines to explore key themes in research methodology, implementation science, patient and public involvement and engagement (PPIE), and navigating academic career pathways.

The event featured keynote addresses from Professor Saeed Farooq (Keele University and Midlands Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust, Research & Innovation) and Professor Claire Jinks (Keele University). Both speakers shared valuable insights into building impactful research programmes, strengthening NIHR applications and developing sustainable academic careers.
A highlight of the programme was an interactive career-mapping workshop designed to help trainees reflect on their professional trajectories and identify next steps in clinical academic development. Using a live digital platform to facilitate engagement, the session encouraged participants to consider systems-level influences on career progression as well as individual goals and skills. The workshop was supported by NIHR Academic Clinical Fellows (Dr Rochelle Velho, Dr Adriel Roa-Bautista and Dr Adam Shepherd).

The programme also included trainee-led oral presentations highlighting diverse clinical academic journeys and research themes. Dr Mustafa Hussein Ajlan Al-Jarshawi presented on cardiovascular outcomes in cancer survivors, drawing on his population-based research undertaken during his first year on the Academic Clinical Fellowship programme to illustrate how observational research can inform cardio-oncology risk stratification in clinical practice. Dr Deepak Menon shared reflections on his research journey, outlining his progression from an Academic Clinical Fellowship to doctoral training, with a focus on identifying evidence gaps in hip osteoarthritis, developing research questions, ensuring methodological rigour, and maintaining momentum during a PhD. Dr Hassan Awan discussed his Academic Clinical Lectureship application journey, offering valuable insights into career planning, portfolio development, and navigating competitive academic appointments.

The event was delivered by a collaborative conference team from SFP to professor; including Dr Rochelle Velho, Dr Adriel Roa-Bautista, Dr Adam Shepherd, Dr Mustafa Hussein Ajlan Al-Jarshawi, Dr Nikhil Anand, Professor Jo Protheroe (IAT Lead), Dr Claire Burton (IAT Deputy Lead and NIHR CL) and Ms Olena Cresswell (IAT Coordinator). This demonstrates the strength of interdisciplinary teamwork in supporting academic development at Keele.

The Winter Academic NIHR Keele Symposium marks an important annual addition to the University’s academic calendar, fostering community, mentorship and shared near-peer learning among the next generation of clinical academics. This also marks the official launch of our webinar and virtual networking programme at NIHR IAT academics at Keele to showcase their research regularly.