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Keele

School of Medicine - Keele University

The School of Medicine at Keele University provides an inclusive, dynamic research and training environment committed to open science and research integrity. We attract, retain, and develop a talented and diverse research workforce. Our teams are supported by a strong research and implementation infrastructure, integrated clinical partnerships, patient and public involvement, and (inter)national collaborations, in order to accelerate early adoption of best evidence into policy and practice, and of methodological innovation into research application. 

We lead the NIHR School for Primary Care Research and host an NIHR accredited Clinical Trials Unit, and a dedicated Impact Accelerator Unit (IAU). Our designated IAU works together with research teams to push the pace of translating research findings into tangible benefits for patients, clinicians, and the NHS. Based on our internationally recognised research in pain and arthritis, we are a EULAR Centre of Excellence and have been recognised as the Primary Care Centre of Excellence Versus Arthritis. Current NIHR, Wellcome and Versus Arthritis grants to the School amount to over £25 million.  

ABOUT THEIR RESEARCH

Our research spans the translational pathway from pre-clinical research to health and social care delivery and education, applying research to tackle the most challenging health problems faced by patients, clinicians, clinical educators, and societies across the world. We are nationally and internationally recognised for interdisciplinary health research in our key areas of strength. These include: 

  • Musculoskeletal health (Kate Dunn: k.m.dunn@keele.ac.uk) 

  • Mental health and well-being (Carolyn Chew Graham: c.a.chew-graham@keele.ac.uk) 

  • Electronic health record research (Kelvin Jordan: k.p.jordan@keele.ac.uk) 

  • Health professionals education research (Janet Lefroy: j.e.lefroy@keele.ac.uk)  

We value high quality, innovative research methods and offer a platform for research in evidence synthesis, individual participant data (IPD) meta-analysis, prognosis research, randomised controlled trials, cohort studies, qualitative methods, use of (linked) electronic health records, and pedagogical research in medical education.   

We have strong inter-disciplinary collaborations between general practice, clinical rheumatology, psychiatry, physiotherapy, psychology, epidemiology, statistics, health economics, pharmacy, social sciences, and health services research. Our research priorities have arisen from wide ranging consultation with patients, clinical partners and other stakeholders. These include: 

  • Developing proactive approaches to health care to prevent/ reduce long term disability  

  • Moving away from a ‘one size fits all’ model of care to one which provides tailored treatments better suited to individuals’ needs 

  • Development of new models of care delivered by primary care health professionals (including nurses, physiotherapists, pharmacists), offering more accessible, holistic care 

  • Putting patients in the driving seat, allowing them to be more actively involved in decisions about their care and better supported to maintaining well-being and independence   

SUPPORT FOR EARLY CAREER RESEARCHERS

Early career researchers have access to a range of training opportunities including journal clubs, internal and external seminar programmes, advanced methodology seminars, and a series of workshops on systematic reviews and evidence synthesis. We host several highly successful international short courses (clinical trials, prognosis research, individual patient data meta-analysis, and prediction modelling), which are attended by postgraduate students, methodologists, and healthcare researchers from across the world. We contribute to the UK-RiME network and mentorship programme for early career researchers, hosted by the Arthritis Research UK Centre of Excellence in Epidemiology. Additional initiatives include: 

  • Mentoring by senior academics to help early career researchers strengthen their CVs and plan career progression 

  • A dedicated Fellowships Committee, responsible for supporting personal fellowship applications through actions such as independent review and feedback on applications and CVs, and convening mock interview panels with senior researchers 

  • Making funding available for staff development, e.g. funding exchange visits with international collaborators; one-to-one mentorship and coaching 

  • Supporting early career researchers in leadership training schemes via NIHR Academy, AURORA leadership development programme for women, and Advance-HE 

CONTACT DETAILS

If you want to conduct your fellowship at Keele University, but not sure whom to contact for support, do feel welcome to reach out to the people below:

Dr Mel Holden; m.holden@keele.ac.uk (SPCR training lead)

Dr Richard Partington r.partington@keele.ac.uk (SPCR deputy training lead)

Prof Danielle van der Windt; d.van.der.windt@keele.ac.uk (SPCR board member)

Philippa Bailey; p.bailey2@keele.ac.uk (professional support)