Team ReSNetSLT are delighted to host this excellent upcoming Tweetchat in our usual time slot on the last Wednesday in November.
This will be our final event of 2021, and we will end the evening with an exciting announcement about our New Look Calendar for 2022.
Thanks to our ReSNetSLT Deputy Directors Milly Heelan & Sophie Chalmers for this blogpost.
“Plan, Connect and Strategize”
On 5th November this year, the Clinical Academics in Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) Clinical Excellence Network (CEN) ran an online study day titled: ‘Research methods for busy clinicians’.
The clinical academics in SLT CEN provides peer support for Speech and Language Therapists interested in expanding their research capacity or pursuing a research career.
The CEN invited clinicians and clinical academics from all levels and backgrounds to hear from two speakers and participate in breakout room discussions.
The theme of the event focused on developing research ideas and integrating research projects whilst working as a clinician.
The two speakers Kath Broomfield and Caryn Molloy reflected on their careers to date, providing practical examples of where they had used research skills in clinical practice and offered top tips for those looking to do the same.
‘Plan, connect and strategize’ were three key words form Kath Broomfield’s terrific talk on ‘research on a shoestring’, where she encouraged participants to consider their current research level and plan towards the next level; connect with new people, present at events and gain support; and think about making time for research interests and where funding might arise.
We were all blown away by the tenacity of Caryn Molloy who has embedded her passion for working in head and neck cancer and research into her career as a newly qualified SLT.
She described how being involved in the Head and Neck cancer CEN, conducting her own thematic analysis and making connections with key people in the field, all during a global pandemic, has really enhanced her career journey.
“Research is better together”
Connection is a common theme researchers give to those wanting to pursue a research career, but often knowing how and where to start on this lifelong venture can seem daunting.
There are many clinical research communities out there to help people connect and develop their research skills and confidence.
These can helpfully be found on the RCSLT Researcher Practitioner Framework Resource Map.
In the North West of England, clinical researchers across Lancashire and Bolton NHS organisations found themselves in similar positions in terms of growing allied health research culture and capacity.
On #AHPsday21 NHS Trusts across the Lancashire and Bolton areas pledged to share the research activities they are involved with and learn from each other.
This simply started as a hashtag to connect us together #NWAHPResearch to share what they have been up to.
Many early research efforts (say if we are dipping our toes in the clinical academic world) often involves unpublished work, small, local projects.
But it is when we share these important grassroots activities, connect and seek advice from others, the magic happens and we grow as aspiring clinical academics.
#NWAHPResearch continues to develop as an example of an informal network of regional Trusts growing research capacity from similar, albeit unique starting points.
Watch this space to see how #NWAHPResearch grows in 2022!
Remember, research really is better together ….
In this #ReSNetSLT tweetchat we will use the following questions to structure our discussions:
- How have networks/relationships enhanced your clinical/research career, what could you do to strengthen these in current circumstances?
- What transferable research skills can support a research career?
- What will be your personal 2022 New Year Research Resolution?
Useful resources & links:
- RCSLT Roadmap
- Practice Based Research PBR seminars
- Applied Research Collaboration ARC organisations – – there is one linked to every Clinical Research Network (there are special interest groups and research seed funding as well as bigger pots of research money)