Speech & Language Therapist

My role as a clinical academic has been developing as part of undertaking the HEE/NIHR CDRF and integrating this knowledge and experience into my clinical role. The fellowship involves research skill training, completing a research study and maintaining and developing clinical skills. I have been learning to navigate research infrastructure/processes and establishing links with networks of early career and senior clinical academics as well as research teams.

I integrate what I have learnt during the fellowship into my current clinical leadership role and advocate for clinical academic career development within my team and organisation including supporting others to follow a similar path. I support and contribute to the development of research capacity, capability and output within my clinical team which I plan to continue beyond the fellowship.

I qualified as a speech and language therapist with an MSc in 2005 and have worked in different speech and language therapy clinical specialities with adult and paediatric caseloads. I had an interest in research from early in my career. Through my current clinical specialism, I was exposed to inspiring clinical academic leaders and able to be involved in audit and service evaluation through which I learnt useful skills. Once I knew I wanted to undertake more formal research training and pursue a clinical academic career, I made this clear in interviews and supervision to enable access to learning, support and opportunities for experience. I approached one of my current PhD supervisors at a conference having been inspired by their presentation. Over the period of a couple of years, I identified a research question and was supported through the process of applying for the CDRF. I also progressed to a clinical leadership role.