ARC-GM Research Internship Programme

Meet our 2022 - 2023 interns

• Kathryn Cawley

  Organisation:  The Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust

  Job title:  Senior Research Nurse

  Why were you interested in research and this ARC-GM Internship? 

  Having worked in research delivery for many years, I want to learn more about protocol development, data analysis, and writing for academic journals to disseminate results. I am very keen to see the Patient and Public Involvement activities that are such am integral part of the entire research process.

  What are you hoping to achieve over the course of the Internship? 

  Having completed my Mres in 2012 I am planning to refresh my knowledge of research methodology, specifically Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis. I am keen to take a clinical academic career pathway, and develop professionally from being a "research nurse" to a "nurse researcher", and ultimately would look to undertake a doctoral fellowship.

• Harry David Wallace

  Organisation:   Trafford Council 

  Job title:  Commissioning Manager

  Why were you interested in research and this ARC-GM Internship? 

  I was interested in the ARC-GM Internship and research generally as it seemed like a great opportunity to develop professionally while also aligning with my work priorities.

  Prior to joining Trafford’s Public Health team I worked in a research capacity. My role as a commissioner is less research focused and as a result I felt I was not building on the research skills and knowledge I had learnt in my previous role. The ARC-GM Internship has presented a brilliant opportunity to for me address this. The programme offers a wide array of training opportunities and a flexible approach, enabling me to tailor my learning to different development areas. I am able to carry out formal training with the university, bespoke external training as well as the modules provided by the ARC-GM team.

  In addition, the Internship has presented opportunities to improve my network within the research world. It is a unique opportunity to work with researchers who have been involved in research projects, that have gone on to inform national policy and services. A key outcome I am hoping to gain from the Internship is a greater understanding in how I can translate academic research, into Public Health interventions, within a local authority. I am particularly interested in working with researchers to provide opportunities for service evaluation and design. Lastly, I feel as though there is the opportunity for the Internship to be mutually beneficial. I hope to facilitate an improved understanding for researchers of how local authorities work and provide connections to the wider public health network in GM, where possible.

  What are you hoping to achieve over the course of the Internship? 

  My main area of achievement on an individual level would be increasing my knowledge of evidence synthesis and service evaluation. I would like to do this through both formal training and also ad-hoc discussion and learning opportunities. This would greatly improve my day to day practice and provide a real tangible benefit for my career overall.  

  In relation to my work, I am hoping to have a clear example of how I have integrated research into my work areas, through service design or development. I would also like to have a clear example where I have been able to input on a research project by providing understanding of public health in a local authority context.

  Lastly, I am keen to gain insight into what a career in research looks like and potentially develop some research ideas I have. By the end of the Internship I hope to have a much clearer understanding on what opportunities there are in the NIHR.

• Coral Leather

   Organisation: Bury Council

  Job title: Social Worker

  Why were you interested in research and this ARC-GM Internship? 

  I completed my BA (Hons) Social Work in 2022 and, as part of this qualification, was tasked with making a service recommendation for my local authority. My work with a gender diverse young person resulted in me wanting to develop a service user-led focus group that enables the development of a gender affirming model of social work/social care.

  
  Research plays an important role in deepening social work’s understanding of our service users’ needs, but there are many gaps in our practice and the guidance that supports our work. I have a longstanding interest in research, and felt that the ARC-GM Internship would allow me to develop important skills — and provide an introductory level of exposure — that I need if I am to pursue a career in the field.

  What are you hoping to achieve over the course of the Internship? 

  The ARC-GM Internship provides exposure to social work research and the opportunity to work alongside — and shadow the work of — academics who are openly sharing their knowledge and expertise and providing specialist guidance.

  I am enjoying the blend of research and practice, and developing knowledge that simultaneously benefits both areas. I am hoping to undertake the Masters-level Foundations of Research unit and attend the Sexuality and Social Work Conference later this year.
  I would ultimately like to apply for the NIHR ARC-GM Pre-Doctoral Fellowship so I can continue to develop my proposed research project.

   

• Katie Shaw

  Organisation: Bolton NHS Foundation Trust

  Job title:  Physiotherapist

  Why were you interested in research and this ARC-GM Internship? 

  I have always had an interest in research with needing to apply current evidence based treatments into my practice; however I lacked the knowledge on how to actually carry out the research. I applied for the internship to understand the process of carrying out research. I often found myself avoiding research projects due to my lack of knowledge when in fact I really wanted to be a part of something that can improve patient care.

  What are you hoping to achieve over the course of the Internship?

  My three main goals is to generally improve my knowledge of research. To have found and developed a research question using resources available. For this to be the staring block to my involvement in research and to build from this internship into further research learning opportunities.

   

• Sophie Whittaker

  Organisation: Tameside and Glossop Healthy Minds, Pennine Care NHS Trust. 

  Job title:  Cognitive Behavioural Therapist

   

   

   

  Why were you interested in research and this ARC-GM Internship?

  As a Cognitive Behavioural therapist, I always aim to utilise research to deliver the best quality of clinical care to service users. I was keen to see how I could develop my research knowledge to begin to evaluate the effectiveness of CBT for patients with cancer. Before applying for the internship, I felt it was very much the case of 'I know what I'd like to research but I'm not too sure how'! I feel that I have been given an understanding of how to broaden my experience in research so I can eventually apply these skills to my clinical work.

  What are you hoping to achieve over the course of the Internship?

  I am excited to work with my tutors and clinical supervisors to gain a better understanding of how research is conducted and what to consider when completing studies. I am hoping to learn how to develop a suitable research question into how a specialist joint pathway between cancer services and psychotherapy teams could benefit service users. I am looking forward to see how this may shape my future career in both a clinical and research capacity (e.g. future studies, pre-doctoral applications).

   

• Salma Alim

   Organisation: Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust

  Job title:  Paediatric Specialist Nurse Practitioner

   

   

  Why were you interested in research and this ARC-GM Internship?

  Research has been an area of interest to me, following my undergraduate paediatric nursing degree. I am a highly driven and self-motivated individual, who is committed to developing professionally and personally.
  
  I am extremely passionate about improving care pathways for children and young people who are affected by obesity, and the associated medical and psycho-social complications of living with obesity. I am now in a position to pursue my passion for research, in my chosen area and contribute to translating research findings into immediate clinical application. Ultimately, I am committed to improving patient care through applied health and care research.
  
  The ARC-GM internship offered me the opportunity to develop knowledge and understanding of the research process and the importance of delivering evidence-based care to patients. It has also provided me with a unique professional opportunity to develop and broaden my research skills alongside my clinical practice by working with experienced researchers, academics, clinicians and contemporaries.

  What are you hoping to achieve over the course of the Internship?

  The internship is an excellent foundation in exploring and planning my research journey. I hope to acquire new knowledge and skills by undertaking Master’s level research module, as well as obtaining first-hand, supervised experience of applied health research during the course of the internship. Being able to access variety of learning resources and support from dedicated supervisors in developing a research proposal would be invaluable. I hope the internship prepares me in applying for the NIHR ARC-GM Pre-doctoral fellowship programme.
   

   

    

• Hayley Grant

  Organsation:  Mersey Care and Liverpool City Council

  Job title:  Mental Health Practitioner/ Advanced social worker

  Why were you interested in research and this ARC-GM Internship?

  I have been interested in research for some time but never knew how to get a foot in the door. The ARC-GM internship programme seemed an ideal way to learn more about research and how to progress my career in that direction.

  What are you hoping to achieve over the course of the Internship?

  I am hoping to learn more about the process of doing research as well as how to develop my own research ideas into a proposal.

   

• Chinyere Gift Nwosu

  Organisation:  BHA for Equality in Health and Social Care

  Job title:  Community Research and Engagement Worker

   

   

  Why were you interested in research and this ARC-GM Internship? 

  I am very enthusiastic about health improvement and health equity through research and health promotion. This led me to switch from a clinical field (Microbiology) to delve more into public health. As a highly motivated individual, I always want to know the answers to the questions 'WHY' and 'HOW' in healthcare. The need to answer these questions heightened while practicing in the clinical field. I often asked myself why infections and diseases break out and how else they can be curtailed aside treatment. From just pondering, I decided to do something about it and went ahead to complete an MSc. in Public health and health promotion.

  
  Following the completion of my MSc I started working in the Voluntary/community health sector. My role involves engaging and gathering the experiences of different communities across Manchester in using health services. This includes understanding how people from different communities access healthcare. It entails studying the various health programs, practices, interventions or initiatives to understand its effectiveness, efficiency, and equity.
  This role has affirmed my interests in research and how impactful it is in making positive health-related decisions affecting minority groups, and pubic health in general.
  Working for an organization whose values and goals align with mine is a unique opportunity. Therefore, as my organization is moving to increase its research activities, the ARC-GM internship is an opportunity to improve my skills, acquire new ones, and reaffirm my interest in the public health research career path that I have chosen.

  What are you hoping to achieve over the course of the Internship?

  Applied health research is a great tool for the voluntary sector, it has been pivotal in accessing the community, especially the minority groups. In my role, I have observed the reluctance of certain local communities in taking part in widespread health research, however when approached directly and engaged within smaller groups, it yields results. Therefore, over the course of this internship, I aim to learn from industry experts and cultivate evaluative research skills that will help my organization to lead the way in research for the voluntary sector. I want to be able to use my skills in a voluntary organization and put it in a position to collaborate with various research and healthcare organizations using the available in-house skills.

   

• Rachael Hanley-Hine

  

  Organisation: Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust

  Job title:  Advanced Clinical Practitioner

   

   

   

  Why were you interested in research and this ARC-GM Internship?

  I have had a varied and interesting nursing career, working in critical care, cardiothoracic transplantation and following successful completion of my MSc in advanced clinical practice, in emergency general surgery. I have always taken every opportunity to be actively involved in research and ultimately hope to undertake my own applied research.
  
  As an advanced clinical practitioner (ACP) it is pivotal to work within the four pillars of advanced practice, to develop my knowledge enabling me to deliver autonomous evidenced based care. My current role is heavily clinically focused with research being an element which has been less prioritised, this is due to the demands within the clinical setting. Meeting the clinical pillar is an essential part of the ACP role, to have protected time and supervision to expand my own research skills will not only progress my own clinical development but aims to improve overall patient centred care.
  
  The ARC-GM internship offers an excellent opportunity to explore a career in clinical research as an option. The opportunity to utilise expert teaching sessions, supervision and exposure to planning and undertaking research projects will be invaluable.

   

  What are you hoping to achieve over the course of the Internship?

   

  I’m hoping the ARC-GM internship will give me exposure to experts within the field of research, as well as time to consider an appropriate question.
  
  Ultimately I hope the ARC-GM internship leads me to a pre-doctoral fellowship and then, ultimately, a PhD.

   

• Loraine Gillespie

  Organisation:  The Christie NHS Foundation Trust

  Job title:  Dietetic manager

  Why were you interested in research and this ARC-GM Internship?

  Research in nutrition oncology is limited and therefore, I want to support the research gaps. I have participated in several research studies and I am now at the point in my career where this has given me the drive and passion to embed more research into my role. I feel passionate about developing my research skills and experience further and am excited to have this opportunity to start the NIHR ARC pathway. my reason for choosing this internship was the programme covers all the aspects I want to develop and as it is tailored to individual needs. This will give me the confidence, skills and knowledge to carry out my own research projects.

  What are you hoping to achieve over the course of the Internship?

  I want to gain knowledge and skills in research skills such as systematic reviews, critical appraisals, literature searching techniques, critical analysis, synthesis and writing literature reviews. The internship will also give me the opportunity to have a wider network with in the field of research. The internship I see as a steppingstone to support my development towards considering a predoctoral fellowship.

   

• Jonathan Riemer

  Organisation:  Royal Manchester Children's Hospital

  Job title:  Highly Specialised Paediatric Physiotherapist

  Why were you interested in research and this ARC-GM Internship?

  Throughout my clinical practice I have always valued the role of evidence based medicine in delivering the best outcomes for my patients. I have also held a keen interest in the role that research has had in developing services and supporting health equity and health literacy.
  I was encouraged to undertake the internship to support developing my own research skills and opening up opportunity to engage with a wider knowledge base of professionals and research projects in the field of Rheumatology and Chronic pain.

  What are you hoping to achieve over the course of the Internship?

  I am hoping to establish links with other professionals and research teams that will enable my own research aims within my specialism and clinical team. I believe this will not only progress my own skills but bring added value to clinical practice.