SPCR Researcher Spotlight | Dr Bethan Treadgold and Dr Sophie Orton

"My studentship at the Primary Care Research Centre, University of Southampton enabled me to combine my interests in self management (health psychology) of long-term conditions (managed in primary care), using qualitative research methods. 

I became a post-doctoral research fellow at the University of Exeter and worked on several NIHR and SPCR funded projects as a qualitative research fellow, having established myself as a research psychologist with expertise in qualitative methods, health psychology and digital health services.

SPCR bridging allowed me to provide qualitative research support to various projects while preparing a funding proposal for an NIHR SPCR post-doctoral fellowship."

"Following completion of my
PhD, the SPCR provided seed corn funding (Oct 2015–Jan 2016). This helped to bridge my research contract at the University of Nottingham at a key transition time, allowing me to
publish papers from my PhD work and strengthened my research experience and gave me the time and opportunity to develop a fellowship idea and application. I was awarded a SPCR post-doctoral fellowship to explore preventing postpartum smoking relapse.

On my return from maternity leave I
made a strategic decision to change
research direction. SPCR funding supported this change in career pathway through both seed corn funding and project grants, enabling me to develop expertise and begin to build an evidence base to support a new approach to smoking cessation for pregnant women."

"These grants and seed corn funding enabled me to leverage further fellowship funding from another funder, and I am currently developing my research area within a personal fellowship from the Society for the Study of Addiction (The Griffith Edwards Academic Fellowship, Oct 2022–Jan 2027). Furthermore, they gave me valuable experience of leading research projects, including project management, budgeting and finance, which are essential professional skills early career researchers need to develop to progress to an independent researcher.

SPCR funding has been instrumental in bridging funding gaps, enabling me to extend my research contract at key points in my academic career, notably post PhD and on return from maternity leave. Additionally, SPCR grants have given me the opportunity to conduct essential preparatory work for my future research plans, publish outstanding papers from my PhD and develop my research skills. These opportunities were integral to my professional development, and fundamental in leveraging further funding to continue my research.”