Resources
Academic toolkit - This resource includes funding application checklists, tips on writing your PhD application and case studies from those already in research.
Research funding opportunities - We support and promote paediatric child health research in the UK and internationally. Search our database of current and upcoming opportunities for projects and posts.
Trainees participation in child health research: survey report - Results from the TRN survey of trainees, published in August 2023, highlight that only a minority of trainees are involved in research, and a small group have dedicated time for research. But also reported was a strong enthusiasm to participate and develop skills in research.
Events
Trainee Research Network - National Conference - We are hosting our first national conference on 17 June, bringing together paediatric residents from across the UK. The conference will offer opportunities to develop research skills, network with peers, share ideas, and showcase high‑quality, resident‑led research.
Trainee Research Network Education Seminars (TREES) - Our monthly webinar series streams on the last Tuesday of every month, each seminar is designed to help trainees get involved in research and meet key capabilities from the curriculum's research and scholarship domain.
Research Essentials Day - Join us online for a full training day on 24 September to learn more about research within paediatrics. We will explore the essentials of research, including mentorship, different types of research and research data, opportunities to get involved and the wider impact of research in practice.
Regional networks
We support other trainee research networks across the UK, including:
- Oxford and Thames Valley Trainee Education and Research Network (OTTER)
- Paediatric Research in Manchester England (PRIME)
- Scottish Paediatric Researchers in Training (SPRINT)
- Severn Paediatric Audit Research and Quality Improvement (SPARQ)
About the network
- Background
In 2018 we at the RCPCH published the report, Turning the Tide: five years on, which highlighted some of the many positive developments in UK basic science and clinical research. However, we also identified some worrying trends, such as the decrease in academic paediatricians at senior lecturer grade, and the limited amount of time (often zero) that paediatricians of all grades have for research in their job plans, the inadequate representation of children’s interests in the UK life sciences industries strategy and few paediatricians on national research boards and committees.
Following the report's publication, we committed to a continued focus on developing child health research and supporting paediatricians at every career stage to build capability and capacity to carry out research.
- Aims of the network
Our trainee-led network supports trainees across the UK to undertake research, develop research skills and confidence to develop their own research ideas through guidance and peer support.
- Increase the visibility of existing trainee research networks
- Help the development of new trainee paediatric research networks in areas where they do not currently exist
- Increase the opportunities for trainees to carry out research
- Provide trainees with peer support and guidance to develop their own research ideas
- Allow trainees to be a driving force behind recent strides in collaborative research
- Initiate and support research projects which paediatric trainees are able to participate in
- Support trainees to develop research skills (eg statistics, ethical approval, writing research reports for publication, administrative support) and confidence in research
- Allow trainees in regions to come together to address local clinical questions as well as contributing towards large-scale NIHR (National Institute for Health Research) portfolio studies
- Allow conception and conduction of pan-UK projects
- Network members
Member Region Dr Eva Wooding (Co-chair of TRN) South West England - Peninsula Dr Eva Loucaides (Co-chair of TRN) London (Co-chair) Dr Frances Callaghan (Co-opted: Co-chair of TRN) North West England - Mersey Dr Aarti Mistry East Midlands Dr Sarra Saad Alla East of England Dr Pratyush Saha Kent, Surrey and Sussex Dr Michelle D'Souza London (Co-chair) Dr Christo Tsilifis North East/Northern Dr Hannah Norman-Bruce Northern Ireland Dr Mikaela Frixou North of Scotland Dr Sameera Auckburally North West England - Manchester (Co-Chair) Dr Conor O'Neill North West England - Manchester (Co-Chair) Dr Charlotte King North West England - Mersey Dr Leila Ellis South West – Severn Dr Ruth Drury Thames Valley/Oxford (Co-Chair) Dr James Charlesworth Thames Valley/Oxford (Co-Chair) Dr Davide Paccagnella Wales Dr Simone Paulson Wessex Dr Anandini Arumugam West Midlands Dr Oluwakemi Adegoke Yorkshire and Humber