How I Turned Curiosity into Opportunity with the NIHR Internship Programme

I won’t sugarcoat it. Early in my career I loved clinical practice, but research felt like a distant club with an intimidating entry exam instead of a thoughtful journey. I knew research mattered — not just for CVs, but for improving how we help real runners, real knee pain sufferers and real patients navigate evidence-based care.

That changed when I secured a place on the East of England NIHR Health and Care Professional Internship Programmehosted by James Paget University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and academic partners including the University of East Anglia and Anglia Ruskin University. 

The Gap Most Health Professionals Don’t Talk About

Every day clinicians and allied health professionals generate questions about what works, why it works, and how to make it better. But practical research training and time to explore these questions is rare. Too often clinical careers leave little space for research skill, which leaves good ideas stuck in the waiting room rather than published and driving real change.

This programme exists to fix that. It gives health and care professionals tailored support to develop their research confidence and capability, regardless of whether you’re completely new to research or already thinking about a clinical academic career. 

What the NIHR Internship Means for Me

Securing this internship means:

• I get dedicated time to build research skills that directly inform clinical practice rather than guessing at what the evidence suggests. 

• I will be supported through structured development pathways tailored to my career stage. 

• I join a network of professionals committed to embedding research into everyday practice — not just theory. 

Unlike a short course, this is a year-long investment, with access to workshops, mentorship, bespoke placements, and peer support. The goal isn’t to change what I do tomorrow. It’s to change how I ask questions, find answers, and implement solutions that serve patients better.

Why This Matters to You

You come here looking for clarity, not noise. Whether you’re a runner chasing performance, a patient seeking answers for knee pain, or a clinician striving to do better, research should work with you — not over you.

This internship is my next step toward blending clinical excellence with evidence leadership. That work leads to better patient journeys, smarter care decisions, and a more thoughtful profession overall.

I’ll be sharing insights from the programme in my newsletters detailing what I learn, how it applies to clinic, and how it can help you. Stay tuned for the journey.

You can also keep up to date by following me on my instagram and facebook pages.

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