Thursday 10 September 2026 – Professor Michele Howarth, getting started with NIHR funding: A guide to the pre application support fund
Overview
Securing research funding can feel daunting, particularly at the start of an academic career. In this seminar, Michelle offers an introduction to the NIHR Pre-Application Support Fund, and will discuss how it can be used to strengthen future NIHR applications. The session will cover what reviewers look for, how to present a compelling case for support, lessons from previous applications, and practical tips to help maximise your chances of success.
For a copy of the slides please contact [email protected]
Tuesday 6 October 2026 – Sharleen Woods (Principal Practitioner Dietitian from Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust – LCSFT) – ‘Co-producing inclusive research: Using patient and public involvement to inform research question, accessibility and methodology’
Overview
How can Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) influence research before a study even begins? This seminar will use the development of a doctoral research project exploring dietetic support for autistic and/or ADHD people with eating disorders to demonstrate how PPI helped shape the research question, improve accessibility and inform study design. The session will also reflect on the opportunities and challenges of co-producing inclusive research.
Wednesday 4 November 2026 – Dr Rachel Clare (Biology) – ‘Galleria mellonella (wax moth larvae) as a reduced cost alternative to murine in vivo models’
Overview
Galleria mellonella (wax moth) larvae are a useful in vivo model for studying microbial infections and testing antimicrobial therapies. They have a mammal-like innate immune system, are inexpensive and easy to use, and can be incubated at 37°C, making them valuable for investigating human relevant studies. In Dr. Clare’s lab she is validating this model as a replacement for mouse studies needed in antivenom manufacturing for snake venom therapeutics. The developed model can apply to wider applications of toxicity from environmental (microplastics) to food sources (ultra processed food).
Tuesday 8 December 2026 – Professor John Sandars (with Rodrigo Flauzino Visiting Researcher from Ribeirão Preto Medical School, Brazil) – ‘Using insights from implementation science for the evaluation of intervention studies’
Overview
Implementation science provides structured frameworks for understanding the implementation of evidence based practice. However, there are also useful insights for understanding the design, delivery and implementation of new innovations. The webinar will provide a practical introduction to the topic and illustrate its application in two recent research studies.
