Rising stars take the lead on research delivery in the South
Southampton researchers are taking leading roles in a new research delivery network.
The NIHR network has appointed four stars from a pioneering Research Leaders Programme (RLP).
They are four of nine researchers from Southampton to join the south-central network.
Supporting research in our region
The NIHR Regional Delivery Network (RDN) supports researchers across England. It delivers high quality research that enables the best care for patients and the public.
It consists of 12 Regional Research Delivery Networks (RRDNs) that cover all English regions. These were first launched in October 2024.
The South-Central RRDN is hosted by University Hospital Southampton (UHS). It serves over four million people.
New appointments
The researchers appointed to the South-Central RRDN in this round will lead work across 29 specialties and four care settings.
They include four staff on UHS’ RLP programme, appointed as specialty leads for these areas:
- Ageing - Dr Stephen Lim, Principal Clinical Research Fellow and Honorary Consultant in Geriatric Medicine
- Children - Prof Mark Johnson, Professor of Child Health and Honorary Consultant Neonatologist
- Critical Care - Dr Ahilanadan Dushianthan, Consultant in Intensive Care and Honorary Associate Professor
- Palliative Care - Dr Mark Banting, Consultant and Honorary Senior Clinical Lecturer in Palliative Medicine
Research leaders of the future
Patients who take part in research have been shown to have better outcomes. UHS is therefore keen to create a culture where research is valued, by encouraging staff to undertake research.
The RLP is central to this, by supporting award holders to take the next steps in their research career. It covers salary costs for at least one day a week (20% whole time equivalent) for up to three years.
RLP awards are open to all healthcare professionals substantively employed by UHS. The programme is managed by the Southampton Academy of Research (SoAR).
Dr Kristin Veighey, SoAR Associate Director and RLP Lead, said:
“These new appointments show the RLP is doing exactly what it set out to do – create research leaders. They indicate that UHS investment in the programme is achieving excellent results, with a new set of research leaders rising in Southampton.
“I’d like to congratulate our four RLP award holders on being appointed to these roles. They will now be able to use their expertise and leadership to support researchers across our region.”
Southampton specialty leads
The other staff appointed as specialty leads from Southampton’s university-hospital partnership are:
- Dementias & Neurodegeneration - Prof Chris Kipps, Consultant Neurologist and Clinical Director of R&D; Honorary Professor of Clinical Neurology and Dementia; Director of Southampton Emerging Therapies and Technologies (SETT) Centre; Wessex Secure Data Environment (SDE) SRO
- Dermatology - Prof Michael Ardern-Jones, Associate Professor of Dermatology
- Imaging - Dr Angela Darekar, Head of MRI Physics and Trust Lead for Imaging Research
- Ophthalmology - Prof Andrew Lotery, Professor of Ophthalmology
- Public Health - Dr Kate Glyn-Owen, Associate Professor in Public Health