Published on: 9 May 2025
The Clinical Academic Research Academy (CARA) aims to support nurses and allied health professionals (AHPs) to engage with evidence-based practice that improves patient outcomes.
A conference held to officially launch CARA saw Professor Sarah Ryan (Professor of Rheumatology Nursing and CARA Lead), describe it as a natural home for nurses and AHPs seeking guidance in a wide range of evidence-based activities; from audits and service evaluations to developing research proposals, disseminating innovations, and forming local research groups and journal clubs.
Sarah is supported in developing CARA by fellow National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Senior Research Leaders, Dr Andrew Finney and Dr Gary Lamph, who shared their insights into how research leaders can support clinical staff to generate research ideas, implement findings in practice, and publish their work.
Keynote speakers Liz Lockett (Chief Nurse and Deputy CEO) and Ian Turner (Director of Nursing), outlined the growing local and national research opportunities for nurses and AHPs. Colleagues also presented their own research and innovations, offering inspiration and demonstrating the real-world impact of clinician-led inquiry.
Ruth Lambley-Burke (Director of Research & Innovation) closed the conference with a strong endorsement of the Trust’s commitment to supporting nurses and AHPs in achieving their research aspirations.
Delegates from across the Trust shared their views on key questions about research involvement with discussions focused on four key areas:
- Challenges to engaging in research.
- Support needed to pursue research ambitions.
- Expectations of research leaders.
- Research priorities for MPFT.
With their feedback in mind, the next steps for CARA (2025–2028) are:
- Explore a pilot project to assess the feasibility of providing nurses with protected time for academic activities.
- Encourage greater participation in the MPFT STARS: Supporting The Advancement of Research Skills Programme.
- Increase networking opportunities through research groups, journal clubs, and the development of critically appraised topic (CAT) groups.
- Establish a network of CARA Champions across specialities to promote academic activities at a local level.
CARA is actively seeking local champions to help develop academic activity in their own specialities. If you are an MPFT colleague interested in getting involved, please contact the CARA team at research