Dr Nicola Williams

Nicola is National Director of Research Support and Delivery, responsible for ensuring efficient, effective and research support and study delivery across Wales (via NHS Research and Development offices, and national services).

Nicola has worked in the NHS for 30 years and been an active researcher for much of that, initially delivering research projects and programmes in primary care and public health and subsequently leading a public health research unit. Prior to her role in Wales, Nicola was Deputy Director of Research and Development in a large acute trust in England and in parallel, worked as a policy and change advisor to the Welsh and UK Governments, and the Health Research Authority. Nicola is also a Chartered Coaching Psychologist.

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In the news: 

Study to support people living with long Covid (June 2023)

Major trial involving Welsh researchers reports 83% reduction in infant hospitalisations thanks to new treatment (May 2023)

Wales showcases best practice in research at national conference (May 2023)

Wales plays integral part in vital immunisation research (April 2023)

Event celebrates achievements of Welsh NHS research support and delivery (March 2023)

New study to help save infants’ lives launches at UHW Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospital (December 2022)

“We want to deliver our own impactful research in the future” – Winner for Outstanding Contribution to Research Delivery unveiled (November 2022)

Volunteers aged 18-30 needed in Wrexham for new COVID-19 vaccine booster study (October 2022)

“Taking part in research is not only helping me but provides the evidence needed to help people who will tackle cancer in the future” (October 2022)

‘Where would we be without research?’ - the groundbreaking research in Wales transforming lives (October 2022)

Taking a Wales-wide approach to deliver research (July 2022)

Vaccine trial to investigate a booster for teenagers to protect against COVID-19 (May 2022)

First Welsh patient to receive ground-breaking treatment to treat throat cancer (May 2022)

Health and Care Research Wales invests in leaders across Wales to shape the research of the future (April 2022)

Volunteers needed in Rhondda Cynon Taf for study into third and fourth COVID-19 vaccine dose (April 2022)

A new simpler way of costing research delivery in Wales (April 2022)

New life changing research opportunities for patients in West Wales with the launch of the Glangwili Hospital Clinical Research Centre (March 2022)

“I’m taking part for my son” - COVID-19 antiviral trial recruits 1000th participant in Wales (March 2022)

New weekly insulin treatment offers hope to people with diabetes in Wales for 100th anniversary of insulin (February 2022)

Where would we be without research? (February 2022)

Weekly insulin treatment offers hope to people with diabetes in Wales (January 2022)

Help researchers from your sofa following a positive COVID-19 test (January 2021)

Swansea clinical psychologist wins award for Outstanding Contribution to Research Delivery (December 2021)

Study supported by Wrexham volunteers publishes COVID-19 Booster data (December 2021)

Cardiff and Vale research team shortlisted for Team of the Year award (December 2021)

First plant-derived Covid vaccine trial studied in Wales found to be 75.3% effective for human use (December 2021)

‘Emergence of Omicron shows just how vital ongoing research is’ (December 2021)

Wales to play major role in UK-wide antiviral study into new treatments for COVID-19  (December 2021)

Aneurin Bevan Research Team Lead shortlisted for Nurse of the Year awards (November 2021)

Emma Williams using blood spinning machine (November 2021)

Cardiff research participants play vital role in showing safety of simultaneous COVID-19 and flu vaccines (October 2021)

Advancing Healthcare Awards Cymru 2021 (October 2021)

Welsh high-risk kidney patients part of new COVID study (September 2021)

Welsh researchers contribute to lifesaving ventilation study for COVID-19 patients (August 2021)

Welsh researchers and patients play a key role in trialling a revolutionary multi-cancer blood test (September 2021)

Welsh researchers contribute to lifesaving ventilation study for COVID-19 patients (August 2021)

Welsh researchers contribute to COVID-19 study which finds life-saving antibody treatment (July 2021)

Wales led study finds induced hypothermia after cardiac arrest does not improve survival (June 2021)

Volunteers in Wrexham needed for world-first COVID-19 vaccine booster study (May 2021)

Support & delivery day event logo (April 2021)

Event recognises NHS staff in Wales who supported and delivered research during pandemic and looks to the future (April 2021)

Scientists issue urgent appeal for help on ground-breaking Covid genetic study (April 2021)

One year of Welsh research into COVID-19 (March 2021)

Two common antibiotics are found to be ineffective against COVID-19 (February 2021)

Let’s celebrate our research heroes! (February 2021)

COVID-19 vaccine trial studied in Wrexham shows promising interim results (January 2021)

Wales plays key role in finding safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine (December 2020)

First patient in Wales receives monoclonal antibodies in COVID-19 clinical trial (October 2021)