Leading health and care research institute has launched a campaign to develop careers

The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) has issued a call for people in social care and public health to ‘add research to their career’ as part of its new campaign. 

Every year the NIHR launches a campaign aimed at health care professionals to offer them a chance to get involved in research.

Launched yesterday, this year’s project is titled ‘Your Path’ and will run until November 12.

To assist healthcare professionals, the NIHR has setup ‘Link and Learn’, a match making service connecting public health and social care practitioners with researchers in the field.  Experienced social care and public health researchers will help guide new researchers in one-to-one conversations.

The NIHR has also produced an interactive game to help take people’s careers ‘to the next level’. The research game, which will be unveiled on November 7, aims to help workers discover different pathways into research, opportunities to develop new skills and qualifications, and make a difference to patients, service users, carers and the public.  

Professor Lucy Chappell, Chief Executive of the NIHR, said: ‘We know that having research as part of practice leads to better outcomes for service users, carers, and patients.

‘This year’s Your Path in Research campaign will open up research to even more people, including social care and public health professionals.

‘We really encourage everyone working in these important fields to consider getting on their own research pathway.

‘Adding research into a career is really fulfilling. I have seen first-hand how it can help attract a person into a job, and often helps keep them inspired in their role, whilst making a difference to patients and the public.

‘Taking this one step today can lead to many paths opening up tomorrow.’

Photo by Scott Graham