Five things we learned from RDF24
Pioneering health research is taking place up and down the country.
This week, over 800 delegates involved in research management, support and leadership gathered at the Celtic Manor in Wales for the NHS R&D Forum conference.
The Forum’s biggest ever event showcased the latest developments across the UK and ways teams are advancing research practice.
The three-day conference included presentations from Southampton and a prize for an innovative Wessex initiative.
Here are five things we learned at RDF24:
1. Getting your research in the news
The conference kicked off on Monday with a talk by BBC Wales Health Correspondent Owain Clarke, who shared what the media are looking for in a research news story.
Owain explained how journalists often used research as an ‘antidote’ to negative news. He offered great tips, saying how the best stories have something visual like a brain scan, technical advances and a personal story. Each aspect appeals to a different kind of person.
“If the story’s good enough and the characters are good enough,” he said, “that story will go far.”
2. Bridging the gap
Increasing diversity in research was a consistent theme throughout the conference.
This was at the heart of an inspiring session by Zubeda Khatoon, a Clinical Studies Officer at Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust.
She shared valuable insights from her work with South Asian communities. The presentation challenged the perception of these groups as “hard to reach” and showcased effective engagement methods.
Her efforts have led to the creation and implementation of the Education and Engagement model. Stay tuned – a publication detailing this model is set to follow soon!
3. Taking research on the road
Mobile research units are being used across the country.
Going out into the community breaks down barriers to participation. This can help reach those under-served by research opportunities.
The approach was championed by the NIHR Clinical Research Network (CRN) Wessex and University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust.
Both organisations emphasised the importance of involving the public in the design process to foster a sense of ownership.
A huge congratulations to Chrissy Sturt, Chloe Sayce, Michelle Just and colleagues from the NIHR CRN Wessex! Their presentation on Wessex Research Buses earned them the New Entrant Award.
4. Attracting people to research careers
An excellent session on careers showcased ways to develop a diverse research workforce, with people from a wide range of career paths, including nurses, midwives and allied health professionals.
A group from University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (UCLH) spoke about their campaign to attract and retain more people in research. This included great ideas like a shadowing programme, so people could ‘try out’ a research role.
They ran a series of research career webinars, promoting these using social media, flyers and posters, and added a ‘personal touch’ by asking research staff to share why they loved their role.
5. The winding road to clear, open and fair research
‘You’re fired?’
Southampton research communications managers Jon Nurse and Pae Patise found themselves pitching for their livelihoods in an unconventional session on the conference’s final afternoon.
The presenters shared that accounts with small numbers of followers on social media can still drive significant reach and engagement across different platforms. Their team is growing the Health Research Southampton presence on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.
The social media session was one of two presentations from the Southampton Centre for Research Engagement and Impact.
On Monday, Dr Chris Stock explained how the centre’s ambitious plans have meandered since taking first steps in 2021, but are now taking great strides to maximise clear, open and fair research.
You can contact researchcomms@uhs.nhs.uk to learn more and get involved in the centre.
