Fuse Research Events
Joint event with NIHR Applied Research Collaboration North East North Cumbria
- Venue: Online
- Start: Thu, 26 Feb 2026 10:00:00 GMT
- End: Thu, 26 Feb 2026 11:30:00 GMT
Understanding the NIHR research portfolio, the PH Specialty Lead Role and support available
About this event
This event will be delivered by Dr Balsam Ahmad, Consultant in Public Health at Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals Trust, and Professor Emma Giles, Professor of Integrating Physical and Mental Health at Teesside University, as well as Laura Renwick, Public Health Senior Research Delivery Manager and Kim Shirley, Study Support Service Manager. Balsam and Emma are co-Public Health Specialty Group Leads (PHSGL) for the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) North-East and North Cumbria (NENC) Research Delivery Network (RDN). In their role as PHSGLs, they aim to champion public health research, support research delivery, and help make connections amongst Trusts, local authorities, and researchers within the NENC to support public health research studies. Laura is part of the NIHR Specialist Centre for Public Health, and Kim is part of the NIHR RDN. All speakers will outline their role, remit, and support they can provide to you.
What you will gain
You will gain an understanding of the NIHR research portfolio, how to have your research study included on the portfolio and what that means for RDN support that you could be provided with. There will be a particular focus on public health research study topics, and how Balsam, Emma, Laura and Kim (and wider RDN) staff can support you when delivering public health research in the NHS and beyond. You will learn more about the role of the NIHR RSS Specialist Centre for Public Health and their progress so far in scoping, designing and piloting a public health research delivery service to meet the needs of public health research outside the NHS and not in the scope of the RDN, and how to get involved.
Who should attend?
Anyone wanting to know more about the support available from across the NIHR for carrying out public health research. It will also offer a chance to understand where public health SGLs can help support in the delivery of research.
Event programme - 26 February 2026
