The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) has announced its latest cohort of senior investigators, including three distinguished pharmacists.
David Alldred, professor of medicines use and safety at the University of Leeds; Rachel Elliott, professor of health economics at the University of Manchester; and Ian Maidment, professor in clinical pharmacy at Aston University, have been named in the list of 39 new appointments, alongside 19 reappointed senior investigators.
NIHR senior investigators are leading figures in research across social care, public health, pharmacy, dentistry, and clinical sciences.
They are recognised for “their exceptional contributions to research and their influence in shaping the future of health and care.”
Each senior investigator receives discretionary funding of £20,000 per year for four years to support their research activities while undertaking a senior leadership role within NIHR.
As NIHR Academy Members, they help “develop research capacity, guide strategy, and work closely with NIHR and the Department of Health and Social Care to address key challenges in health and social care.”
Professor Alldred emphasised how the award will help his team build on their work to enhance medicine safety for vulnerable and underserved populations, , such as older people living with frailty and people whose first language is not English.
“The award will also create further capacity for pharmacy-led research,” he told The Pharmaceutical Journal.
Professor Elliott highlighted her plans to "enhance public, patient, and community engagement in health economics through expanded training and funded projects, while promoting inclusion in the academic workforce by proactively reaching out to underrepresented professions, regions, and institutions.”
Professor Maidment underscored the key role of pharmacy in understanding how we can improve medication-related outcomes.
“I’m looking forward to continuing to support the vital work of the NIHR and develop the next generation of academic pharmacists and pharmacy technicians,” he told the publication.
Senior Investigators may apply for a second term upon completing their first, with a maximum tenure of two awards spanning up to eight years.
Applications for the next round of funding will open in June 2025.
Graeme Duncan 
