Research Hero of the Month - May 2024

This month we take the opportunity to celebrate Claire Paul, Professional Lead for Allied Health Professions.

Claire is a current Principal Investigator (PI) for both MoreRESPECT study and SCEPTRE study. Large, multi-centre studies that run across multiple NHS trusts have a PI at each site, usually a clinical member of the trust who has overall responsibility for how the study is run. The PI is a leadership role, supporting the R&D team to deliver high quality research and look after participant safety.

Claire is a very supportive and proactive PI and the R&D team value her input. She consistently demonstrates great commitment for her role and goes over and beyond to demonstrate confidence. in operating as a site PI.

She supports the promotion of research studies both within and outside of the organisation and genuinely demonstrates that involvement and support for research is everyone’s business.

Her contributions and support continually play a great part in the progress and success of the two studies. Most importantly in contributing to giving the eligible LYPFT service users the opportunity to hear about research and on how they can get involved. When asked about her experience Claire said:

 

“I have always been interested in research from an evidence-based perspective. However, after leading my own small scale research project as part of a master’s programme, I wanted more active involvement. This led to me completing a NIHR research internship. Since then, I have been principal investigator or co-applicant on several NIHR studies.

Being a Principal Investigator can be challenging; however, I really enjoy the chance to work collaboratively with the research team in LYPFT, academic colleagues and clinical services. Being part of innovative and new ways of working is inspiring. I believe passionately that service users who use our services should have the opportunity to be involved in research both as participants and as part of research teams. For anyone interested in being more active in research, working towards being a PI is a great opportunity, open to all professions.”

Claire has always been a keen supporter of research and sits on the Research Committee whose responsibility it is to oversee the development and implementation of the Trust’s Research Strategy and Governance of the department within the Trust.