In this Lunch and Learn, an early-career researcher will share her personal journey in building a clinical academic career—from a newly qualified Speech and Language Therapist to a Research Leader, University Teacher, and NIHR Doctoral Fellow. She will offer concrete examples of how her NHS Trust has played a pivotal role in igniting, shaping, and sustaining her progression into clinical academia. The session will also provide practical insights for managers on how to support and benefit from research-active staff. Finally, the presentation will explore the far-reaching impact of clinical academic careers—on individuals, teams, organisations, and the wider health system.
Guest Speaker: Hannah Lane (Specialist Speech and Language Therapist/NIHR Doctoral Clinical and Practitioner Academic Fellow)
Hannah is a Speech and Language Therapist specialising in Cleft and Craniofacial conditions. She is currently undertaking a full-time NIHR Doctoral Clinical and Practitioner Academic Fellowship, through which she aims to strengthen the evidence base for early speech interventions for children born with cleft palate. Since qualifying in 2016, Hannah has worked at Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals (DBTH) NHS Foundation Trust, which continues to host and actively support her fellowships and career development. Prior to her current fellowship, she held the role of Clinical Therapies Research Lead and completed a secondment at the University of Sheffield.