Fuse supports Clinical Research Network's new public health offer in the region

Fuse is delighted to be working with the NIHR Clinical Research Network North East and North Cumbria (CRN NENC) to further develop the support that it can offer to public health research.

This includes the recent appointment of a new Senior Manager for Public Health Research, which will be filled by Laura Renwick (pictured), who will be moving from her previous role as Research Operations Manager for primary care in CRN NENC.

Many public health studies take place outside of clinical environments, across a wide range of community and local authority settings. The reach of the NIHR Clinical Research Network North East and North Cumbria into public health research is currently limited, with only a small number of the Network's portfolio of studies classed as ‘public health’ in the past year.

The aim of this project is to raise awareness of the support and services the CRN NENC can offer among universities, local authorities and other organisations that carry out public health research. A further part of the project is to work together with public health professionals to make sure existing support systems are fit for purpose.

The new Senior Manager for Public Health Research will be working closely with Fuse, the Centre for Translational Research in Public Health, alongside Dr Emma Giles, co-lead of the Behaviour Change Research Programme in Fuse, and Dr Balsam Ahmad, the two newly-appointed regional Specialty Group Leads for Public Health.

Dr Emma Giles, Associate Professor Public Health at Teesside University, said: “Living and working in the local area, I am passionate about public health research and the direct impact that it can have on the lives of people within our region. I very much look forward to working with Laura, and alongside Balsam in our joint role, as we promote public health research in the region, provide support and advice to organisations wishing to engage, and help support linkages to the Local Clinical Research Network and their public health portfolio research.”

Laura Ritson, Manager of Fuse, said: “I’m delighted that Laura has been appointed as Senior Manager for Public Health in the Clinical Research Network for our region. Her role will strengthen the relationship between CRN and the North East universities in the Fuse collaboration, and help researchers better understand the support available both in and outside traditional NHS settings, including local authorities. It will also increase access to wider support and resource to deliver impactful Public Health studies. Fuse is looking forward to collaborating with Laura and the CRN more closely.”

Laura Renwick, new Senior Manager for Public Health Research at CRN NENC, said: “I’m looking forward to working much more closely with our public health colleagues across the region and exploring the ways we can improve our current support systems and increase the accessibility for public health researchers. There is already extensive support and expertise on offer via our Study Support Service and Direct Delivery Teams; for example, study costings advice, systems training, and guidance on what makes a study eligible for CRN support.

“We plan to work collaboratively with our public health partners, listening to them to find out how best to direct this support and improve our offering based on what would be most useful.”

Chris Speed, Deputy Chief Operating Officer at the CRN NENC, said: “I am delighted that we have been able to create this new role. It is a further demonstration of the importance we place upon public health research and researchers. With the advent of the Health Determinants Research Collaborations (HDRCs) in the region and the additional investments we have made to support public health teams in Local Authorities, the future for public health research looks very positive. I am delighted that Laura has been appointed to the role, she has a wealth of knowledge in public health and will bring high levels of knowledge and insight to this important work.”

Public health research aims to improve the health of the public and reduce inequalities in health. It covers areas such as obesity, lifestyle, chronic disease prevention, mental health and wellbeing, environment, sustainable development, and social determinants of health.

Last modified: Thu, 01 Dec 2022 17:18:05 GMT