From Support Role to System Shaper: How NIHR ARC-GM Helped Me See I Belong in Research - And That I Can Lead It
Amy McCawley, Corporate Improvement Advisor, MFT & NIHR ARC-GM Pre-Doctoral Fellow
When I first joined the NHS as an entry-level Administrative and Clerical (A&C) professional in 2008 I never imagined I’d one day be leading a research study, writing conference abstracts, or presenting my findings to shape improvement strategy. But through the NIHR ARC-GM Pre-Doctoral Fellowship, that’s exactly what I’ve done.
This year has been transformative, not just for my skills but for my sense of identity as a research leader. It’s been a powerful reminder that non-clinical NHS staff bring essential insights to health services research and that we deserve a seat at the table.
What I Researched and Why It Matters
My project explored psychological safety as an enabler for improvement capability in the NHS administrative workforce. Despite A&C staff accounting for over 20% of the NHS workforce, their experiences are largely absent from the academic literature and quality improvement policy.
I’ve been fortunate to do this work within Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust in my Improvement role, as they are a research-active organisation that values staff-led inquiry, and my leadership team and research colleagues supported me every step of the way. Through a scoping review and a Trust-wide audit, I identified a national evidence gap and a huge opportunity. The research showed a strong correlation between psychological safety and improvement capability, and highlighted the impact of leadership behaviours, communication, and recognition on our ability to contribute meaningfully to change.
The pre-doctoral year gave me so much more than protected time to study. It gave me the confidence to call myself a researcher and the skill-building I needed in scoping review design, as well as qualitative and quantitative analysis. I received fantastic mentorship from experts who treated me as a peer and a platform to represent non-clinical voices in improvement science. And above all, it gave me access to an incredible support network.
The Power of the ARC-GM Community
From day one, I felt part of something bigger. The team at NIHR ARC-GM created a space where no question was too small, and no role was too junior to matter. I had 1:1 guidance from academic supervisors, access to methods workshops, and the chance to connect with peers across Greater Manchester working on everything from AI to social care.
Being surrounded by people who believed in my potential and challenged me to grow made all the difference. I never felt like I had to “prove” I belonged. I felt welcomed, supported, and stretched. That sense of belonging is what enabled me to thrive.
Why Representation Matters
Too often, research is seen as something done by or for clinicians. But the NHS is a system, and systems need all voices, especially those often left out. My work is a step toward changing that narrative. I hope to show that A&C professionals are enablers and connectors, and, increasingly, research leaders.
We see problems others can’t. We ask questions others don’t. That perspective is not just valuable, it’s vital.
What’s Next
I’m now preparing to apply for a Doctoral Fellowship with NIHR ARC-GM to expand this work nationally. I want to develop a validated framework to strengthen psychological safety across non-clinical NHS teams, and partner with improvement programmes to scale the impact.
This isn’t the end of my research journey; it’s just the beginning.
To any non-clinical NHS colleague wondering if research is “for you”, it is. If you’ve ever asked, “Why don’t we do this better?” you’re already thinking like a researcher.
The ARC-GM Pre-Doctoral fellowship changed my life by re-shaping my view of my professional potential. Just as importantly, it affirmed that non-clinical professionals have a powerful role to play in research and improvement.
Published 16/02/2026