Meet the faces behind research
20 June 2025
Today (Friday 20th June) is #Red4Research day - an annual event celebrating everyone who makes research happen.
We hear from some of our colleagues in research about why they are involved.
Eleanor Bickle NIHR Sheffield Biomedical Research Centre Research Project Manager
From taking part in research as a participant to conducting research projects myself, I knew I wanted to carry this on throughout my career. Research is incredibly important. It drives knowledge expansion and provides the foundation for understanding the world around us. Without research, we wouldn’t have cures for diseases once thought to be incurable or advances that improve patient experience, such as quick and less invasive diagnostic tests, for rare diseases, which were once a mystery to clinicians.
Dr Sean White - Dietitians and CCAG Clinical Academic Fellow
Research - whether that be doing it, being aware of it or implementing it - is an essential requirement of being a healthcare professional. Delivering care that improves patient outcomes and experience should be at the heart of everything we do and practice that does not have benefit can be evidenced through clinical trials to improve care too. Research and clinical effectiveness projects are our way of achieving these goals. The outputs of research, when implemented into practice, can improve the outcomes of patients and the efficiencies of services.
Dr Donards Tanedo - Senior Research Charge Nurse
I entered clinical research through my nursing background, where I developed a strong interest in evidence-based practice and improving patient outcomes. Clinical research is the foundation of evidence-based healthcare. It is essential because it advances knowledge in healthcare and medicine; ensures new therapies and interventions are safe and effective; supports patient-centred innovation; contributes to policy and guideline development, helping shape national and global health decisions. Ultimately, clinical research drives improvements in healthcare quality, safety, and outcomes - not just for current patients, but for future generations.
Dr Alessia Dunna – Research Governance Coordinator
We have such a strong culture of research in the UK with strong universities, and seeing this translate into the NHS, something so many of us care so much about is really exciting. To know that the NHS can access cutting edge treatments, and be involved in improving health worldwide, is really important to me.
Be Part of Research
A new service from the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) is making it easier than ever to take part in health and care research.
Simply sign up online and choose the areas of research you’re interested in.
You’ll be matched to suitable studies and sent clear information about what’s involved and how you can take part, if you choose to.
To register visit: Be Part of Research
