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The School of Allied Health Professions and Nursing has been awarded two prestigious joint seed-fund research grants in partnership with the University of Alberta, following a successful application to the University of Liverpool's Seed Fund initiative.
The funding will support two projects in the field of Therapeutic Radiography and Oncology, developed by Dr Bridget Porritt, Mrs Lauren Oliver, and the Revd Dr Mike Kirby from the School’s Therapeutic Radiography and Oncology Group.
The call for collaboration with UoA, which was issued in Autumn 2024, sparked immediate interest within SAHPN.
Dr Porritt, Mrs Oliver, and Dr Kirby were eager to explore potential joint research opportunities with the Radiation Therapy department at UoA, and began working closely with their Canadian colleagues after registering for the Seed Fund Webinar in September 2024.
Their initial Zoom meetings were met with enthusiasm, revealing a shared ethos and an aligned commitment to embedding research into academic programs and clinical practice.
Dr Porritt said: “We were excited to see how similar our departments were in terms of size, values, and goals - it was clear from the outset that this was a group we wanted to work with, and the synergy between our teams was palpable. The collaborative spirit was incredibly motivating.”
Two promising project ideas emerged from these initial discussions, leading to the development of two full proposals that were submitted by December 2024.
Despite the competitive nature of the university-wide funding initiative, the team remained optimistic.
Lauren Oliver added: “Even if we didn’t secure funding, we were confident that we had laid the groundwork for future collaborations.”
Much to their delight, both projects were successfully funded, making SAHPN one of only four recipients in this round of the Seed Fund initiative. The two other successful ones were from Dr He Zhao, of UoL’s Eye and Vision Sciences Department and Prof Ric Williams from the Earth, Ocean and Ecological Sciences Department.
The funded projects were presented to a delegation from UoA, including Professor Aminah Fayak-Robinson, VP for Research; Julie Stevens, Director of Research Partners and Eduardo Tinidad, Regional Manager for Europe/MENA, during a recent visit to the University of Liverpool organised by Helen Carlin, UoL’s international Partnership’s manager (see photo).
Our School’s projects have now officially launched and are progressing rapidly. Dr Kirby said: “With only 12 months for each project, time is of the essence.
“We’re eager to achieve meaningful outcomes that will lay the foundation for future research funding and extend our impact both nationally and internationally.”
The first project, entitled “Social Accountability in Undergraduate Therapeutic Radiography Curricula: ‘It’s everyone’s business,’” will be led by Dr Porritt and Jackie Middleton from UoA.
This collaborative initiative will explore the concept of social accountability within the radiotherapy profession and assess the learning requirements needed to ensure students are practice-ready in this area. The research will include surveys of current students, faculty members, and recent graduates from both universities.
The second project, “From Stress to Strength: Aligning Healthcare Professional Resilience with Perceived Patient-Centred Care in Radiation Therapy,” will be led by Mrs Oliver and Jen Dewhurst from UoA.
This project will examine the relationship between student perceptions of resilience and patient-centred care, with the aim of identifying how these factors contribute to the development of skilled and compassionate healthcare professionals. Like the first project, this initiative will involve surveys and focus groups with students, faculty, and potential extension to alumni.
Both projects will be made up of mixed research methods, including electronic surveys and in-person focus groups, to gather data and insights. Staff exchange visits between the two institutions will also be a key component of the research, allowing for deep dives into each other’s curricula, delivery methods, and facilities.
The collaboration will foster further opportunities for cross-continental research, student and staff exchanges, and the sharing of research portfolios.
Dr Porritt concluded: “We’re thrilled that the ambitions and research focus within SAHPN have been recognized through this partnership. This funding is just the beginning of what we hope will be a long-term collaboration that not only advances academic and clinical research but also directly benefits patients and students alike.
“The potential for future national and international grants, with direct connections to improving patient care, is incredibly exciting.”
The SAHPN team is excited to continue their work on these projects and as work progresses, updates will be shared with the School and Institute, with a focus on how the research will continue to enhance the student experience and improve patient care.