CR&I Fellowships
One of the jewels in the crown of the Centre for Research & Improvement is our programme of research fellows. As well as supporting CR&I projects, the fellowship programme aims to support the development of tomorrow’s academic leaders.
Since 2012, over a dozen fellows from a variety of regions and backgrounds of anaesthesia have worked on RCoA research projects.
How to get involved?
The CR&I at the Royal College of Anaesthetists (RCoA), and partner NHS and independent sector hospitals appoint clinical research fellows to work on high profile programmes related to anaesthesia and perioperative medicine.
Any opportunities to work on CR&I research projects are advertised each year through the RCoA, NIAA and CR&I websites, as well as their respective social media feeds and in the RCoA Bulletin. These Fellowships are open to all Anaesthetists, including SAS Doctors, (below Consultant and Specialist level) and no previous research experience is necessary.
Posts usually commence in August and successful candidates will gain exposure to national research and quality improvement programmes, opportunities for academic publication and conference presentations and develop leadership and management skills. Fellowships are funded by a range of hospitals around the UK, and come with a split in clinical commitment and time for research activities.
We are hugely grateful for the support we have had from our partners, and are always looking for opportunities to work with research funders and hospitals across the UK. Previous funders include:
- HCA Critical Care Units (London)
- University College Hospital (London)
- King Edward VII Critical Care Unit (private hospital, London)
- The London Clinic Critical Care Unit (private hospital, London)
- Nottingham University Hospital (Nottingham)
- St. George's Hospital (London)
- Royal United Hospital (Bath)
- James Cook University Hospital (Middlesborough)
- South West Ambulatory Orthopaedic Centre (SWAOC) at Exeter Nightingale Hospital
- University Hospitals Plymouth
- Heartlands, Good Hope and Solihull Hospitals (HGS), (Birmingham)
- Cardiff and Vale University Health Board (Cardiff).
Fellows Development Programme
As well as opportunities to get involved with academic research, the CR&I have recently put together a Fellowship Development Programme. The programme consists of a series of webinar talks from a range of expert speakers on topics such as quantitative and qualitative research, statistics, and publication skills
The idea behind the development programme is to give Fellows a broad understanding of the bigger picture and impact that research can have.
The best bits about research include autonomy; a flexible working pattern; exposure to new people and ways of thinking; and excitement as new doors open, even if I’m not entirely sure where I want them to lead. I’m really glad that I’ve tried research. Don’t assume you need a lot of experience to get involved!