Workforce development
Workforce development
Embedded Files
Internships
Traditionally there have been limited opportunities for health professionals outside of medicine and dentistry to become more research active, either by engaging with, supporting, or conducting research as part of everyday clinical practice. To increase these opportunities, the Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (STH) Nurse, Midwifery, Allied Health Professional (NMAHP) and Health Professionals Research Internship Programme, was established. More information on the programme can be found on the Clinical Research and Innovation Office website.
In 2022, budding researchers were invited to apply for six STH Healthcare Professionals Research Internship Programme secondment placements, which were partly funded by the NIHR Sheffield Clinical Research Facility (CRF). This was the first year this funding had been available, and the first cohort celebrated their graduation in September 2023.
The focus of these internships is to develop new skills, increase understanding of clinical research and the difference it can make and to be supported to design, plan and undertake a research project focused on improving care. The size and ambition of the respective research project can be tailored to the individual candidate.
In addition, in 2022, a CRF research sister was successful in securing the Chief Nurse Research Internship. The Chief Nurse Research Internship is open to applications from all registered nurses and midwives who are working within the Trust. The nature and scope of the internship is set by the Chief Nurse and will reflect Trust and local population priorities for health and wellbeing.
By encouraging and supporting staff to apply for these opportunities, the NIHR Sheffield CRF aims to grow highly skilled researchers and research leaders. This will enable us to deliver better care and pathways for our patients and enhance staff retention.
You can find some highlights from the most recent internship graduates below.
Internship outputs
What essential information should be included in a patient information leaflet to effectively guide individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS) considering or undergoing autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (aHSCT)?
Hannah Young, CRF Research Sister
Hannah Young Internship Poster.pdfHannah Young's internship poster
Hannah Young Internship Presentation.pdfHannah Young's internship presentation
EBMT - Autoimmune Diseases Conference
On the 18–20 September 2025, CRF Research Sister, Hannah Young and colleagues attended the EBMT Advancements in cellular therapy for Autoimmune Diseases and Chronic Haematological Malignancies conference in Rome.
This three-day event was an opportunity for in-depth sessions on cutting-edge topics, key presentations by renowned experts on complex subjects, interactive case studies where participants can explore the practical applications of new treatments and horizon scanning for state-of-the-art therapies in AID as well as networking opportunities to foster connections with global leaders in haematology and autoimmune diseases.
Hannah’s project was funded by the NIHR Sheffield Clinical Research Facility through the STH Healthcare Professionals Research Internship Programme and explored underrepresented patient experiences in aHSCT for MS. Thanks to the generous support of Sheffield Hospitals Charity (SHC), Hannah was able to present this work at the conference, where she was the only nurse representing the NIHR Sheffield Clinical Research Facility (CRF) and NIHR Sheffield Biomedical Research Centre (BRC)
Hannah thoroughly enjoyed attending the conference, describing it as an excellent event. “It was an honour to present both a poster and give an oral presentation. The conference enhanced my understanding of HSCT and CAR-T therapies across autoimmune diseases and improvements in safety outcomes, strengthening my confidence in the science and the care we provide. I am deeply grateful to both CRF and SHC for making this possible”
Feedback received from the conference praised Hannah’s presentation and she received heartfelt thanks for the dedication and effort she had invested to ensure the work was both recognised and effectively showcased. Well done, Hannah!
(September 2025)
What are the barriers and facilitators to student nurse mentorship within NIHR Sheffield Clinical Research Facility (CRF)?
Lisa Woodall, Research Sister
Lisa Woodall Internship Poster.pdfLisa Woodall's internship poster
Lisa Woodall Internship Presentation.pdfLisa Woodall's internship presentation
‘No decision about me without me’: Using arts-based research approaches to understand the barriers to involvement and participation in research among women from the South Asian population
Lorenza Nwafor, CRF Research Sister
Lorenza Nwafor Internship Poster.pdfLorenza Nwafor's internship poster
Lorenza Nwafor Internship Presentation.pdfLorenza Nwafor's internship presentation
Empowering underrepresented voices in research: an arts-based approach
Empowering underrepresented voices in research: an arts-based approach
Our very own Research Sister, Lorenza Nwafor, is featured in the newest blog from the Evidence-Based Nursing (EBN) BMJ on Empowering Underrepresented Voices in Research: An Arts-Based Approach.
To read the blog, visit the EBN BMJ website.
(January 2025)
How do recruitment strategies at NIHR Sheffield CRF affect ethnic minority participation in clinical trials?
Faith Kibutu, CRF Senior Research Sister
Faith Kibutu Internship Poster.pdfFaith Kibutu's internship poster
A Rapid Review: Research Without Prior Consent (RWPC) in critical care research, what are the experiences, views and beliefs of patients, relatives and stakeholders when a patient dies before patient or personal legal consent is given?
Eleanor Meakin, Critical Care Research Sister
Eleanor Meakin Internship Poster.pdfEleanor Meakin's internship poster
An evaluation of the documentation process of Intentional Rounding from multiple perspectives
Samantha Morris, Staff Nurse (Weston Park Hospital)
Sam Morris Internship Poster.pdfSamantha Morris' internship poster
PhDs
Investigating digital solutions for seamless interconnectivity among patient-based healthcare systems in the NHS
Fahimeh Nafely, Data Manager
Fahimeh Nafely PT PHD Poster 12.12.24.pdfFahimeh Nafely's poster for the Industry and Innovation Research Institute (I2Ri) Winter Poster Event 2024
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