New NIHR Senior Investigator reflects modern research leadership

Professor Nicola Walsh, Professor of Knowledge Mobilisation and Musculoskeletal Health at the University of the West of England (UWE Bristol), has been announced as a Senior Investigator by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR).

The NIHR Senior Investigator award recognises the most prominent and prestigious researchers in applied health and social care across a breadth of diverse professional backgrounds. They are among the most outstanding and influential researchers funded by NIHR and are recognised for the quality and global reach of their research. They also help to mentor the next generation, strengthen research culture and embed inclusion.

Professor Walsh has been appointed as an NIHR Senior Investigator in the field of Primary Health Care in recognition of her significant contribution to workforce planning, community health, and in promoting evidence-based healthcare decision-making through the Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire Impact Accelerator Unit.

She is an academic physiotherapist whose research focuses on primary care. Her earlier work targeted musculoskeletal conditions, including the development and testing of now nationally and internationally implemented ESCAPE-pain programme for people with chronic joint pain. Whilst her interest remains in primary care, this now focuses on the workforce, and the clinical and cost benefits of new ways of working.

Most of her research is funded by the prestigious NIHR. Notably, with Professor Sarah Voss she currently co-leads the Same Day and Urgent Care Workforce Research Partnership – a £5m investment from NIHR to investigate workforce challenges in the Same Day and Urgent care workforce.

Professor Walsh also has a passion for championing the use of research in healthcare commissioning decisions and clinical practice. In support of this, she is the academic lead for the NHS Bristol, North Somerset & South Gloucestershire Impact Accelerator Unit which demonstrates expedited implementation of research findings to benefit the healthcare of local populations and the workforce involved.

She said: “I’m honoured to be named a Senior Investigator. It’s a testament to the high quality and impactful research that we do at UWE Bristol and reflects my commitment to supporting the development of the next generation of healthcare researchers who represent a variety of professions.”

Professor Walsh is one of 59 senior investigators to be appointed in this latest cohort (43 are newly appointed and 16 are reappointed), and also includes an increased number of research leaders from post-1992 universities. This highlights the growing role universities like UWE Bristol are playing in driving high-quality research and supporting research careers.

Dr Adele Drew-Hill, Associate Professor in Medical Education and Dean and Head of School of Health and Social Wellbeing, said: “Professor Walsh is an outstanding researcher and leader and is a highly valued and supportive colleague; we are extremely proud of her award and her ongoing research.”

Professor Lucy Chappell, Chief Executive Officer of the NIHR and Chief Scientific Adviser at the Department of Health and Social Care, said: "By recognising leaders across the breadth of health and care, we are reinforcing NIHR's commitment to supporting excellence wherever it is found and ensuring that research leadership mirrors the communities and professions it serves. 

"Senior Investigators make a significant impact to the NIHR and the wider research landscape and I look forward to seeing the contributions and impact they make across health and care research."