From canteen workers to consultants: Research Champions driving a culture of research in ABUHB

Aneurin Bevan University Health Board’s (ABUHB) Research Champions initiative is driving a culture of research from canteen workers to consultants. 

Research Champions are already playing a crucial role and giving research a voice by raising awareness and signposting opportunities in the Gwent-based health board. 

The programme has seen 15 champions join, with four inductions now planned every year.

The role is open to all staff - canteen workers, car park attendants, nurses and consultants - and is helping to improve inclusion and accessibility in research. 

Anna Roynon, Research Delivery Senior Team Lead at ABUHB said: “What we are trying to do is build a culture. We are not just looking for people who want to actively do research.

“People often think research is for people who want to do a master’s or PhD. What we are trying to say is that anybody can engage in research at different levels because we can't do it alone. We need everybody.”

Anna added that there is hope the champions will “build” into the national agenda to embed research within standards of care.

Health and Care Research Wales, in collaboration with a wide range of stakeholders including NHS organisations in Wales, has developed a Research and Development (R&D) Framework which outlines what ‘research excellence looks like’ within NHS organisations in Wales where research is embraced, integrated into services, and is a core part of the organisation’s culture.

Early successes of the champions include increased stakeholder engagement, rapid communication, lunchtime learning participation, and confidence-building. 

Notably, the connection has helped one research champion, Mary Kivell, Advanced Clinical Practitioner, become a Principal Investigator (PI) on a study in the Emergency Department.

Mary Kivell said: When I saw a poster for the research champion, I was very excited to get involved with the research team. I was then given the opportunity to be the PI for a national study looking at people who come to the ED and are cared for in areas that were not designed to have patients in them. 

“It was exciting to follow the process, set up how we would complete the study and gather the data while trying to minimise extra work for the staff in ED. The research team were fantastic in supporting this. 

“By being involved in this I have been able to show to both nursing and medical colleagues that research can happen in ED.” 

Looking ahead, ABUHB aims to expand the model by collaborating with community leaders and charities while encouraging existing volunteers to integrate research into their roles.