Starting a research career with the NIHR INSIGHT programme

During the early part of my clinical career, I focused on services for individuals with young-onset dementia, noticing a significant lack of age-appropriate treatment options. When I couldn't find research to form an evidence base for the health inequality I was witnessing, my passion for investigation truly began.

It wasn't about feeling academically gifted or suited for a research career, but rather a deep commitment to my client group. I felt that if I understood how research is produced and its importance for our service users, I could make a meaningful difference. Although funding for an advanced clinical practitioner master's degree was unavailable through my previous employer, discovering the INSIGHT programme made my goal of pursuing a master's degree achievable and perfectly aligned with my research interests.

The INSIGHT programme was intensive and challenging, genuinely stretching my academic skills, but it was absolutely worth it. I now feel like a more knowledgeable and effective practitioner, understanding how to utilise the evidence base to inform my clinical reasoning. I can critically evaluate research papers and grasp previously perplexing graphs and statistics. This degree has further fuelled my passion for research, empowering me to apply for a role I once thought unattainable.

In January 2026, I started my new position as an Occupational Therapy lecturer within the Health, Wellbeing and Care Hub at the University of Essex, where I can embed research into my everyday clinical practice and support the future workforce on placement with me to expand their knowledge of this vital field.