Implementation Science and Research: From theory into practice

Implementation is increasingly being put at the forefront of research funding requirements. It can be pretty confusing and stressful when you have a short amount of time to put together an implementation research proposal, particularly when you have little implementation science experience. Hundreds of theories, models and frameworks, thousands of published papers, and a lack of practical and accessible guidance can add to this confusion.

As a full-time implementation specialist supporting multiple YHARC projects with their implementation research, I developed this course to bolster implementation research knowledge and transform implementation research skills.

How is this course different?

This is our flagship three-day training course for anyone interested in learning about implementation science and implementation research. It provides a comprehensive overview, highlighting the various limitations and complexities involved in conducting this type of research. The course also aims to bolster participants’ ability to connect with and support the needs of practice, address complexity, and have an impact while offering guidance on participants’ own projects or study designs. It can be tailored to your specific needs.

About the course

Implementation is increasingly being put at the forefront of research funding requirements. It can be pretty confusing and stressful when you have a short amount of time to put together an implementation research proposal, particularly when you have little implementation science experience. Hundreds of theories, models and frameworks, thousands of published papers, and a lack of practical and accessible guidance can add to this confusion.

Trainer: Kristian Hudson, host of the Essential Implementation Podcast, and full-time implementation specialist supporting the YHARC, has developed this online, live, three day course design to bolster implementation research knowledge and transform implementation research skills.

How is this course different?

Our extensive experience has taught us that good implementation research support works best when trainees have time to ask questions and problem-solve their projects or ideas. It’s also important that Kristian can build a relationship with you to make sure we are delivering a course that fits your needs.

Implementation research training is rare but most of it tends to involve a large number of attendees who are subjected to an excessive amount of information, lectures and references. There isn’t time for group discussion or one-to-one advice. There isn’t time to truly digest what is being taught, each part is not always linked together well, and attendees do not leave feeling like they have what they need.

Kristian therefore never teaches more than twelve trainees at once so that he can make sure you have the opportunity and time to ask questions and also make sure you get what you need from the course. A free workbook is included and there is plenty of time for us to tackle whatever implementation research challenge you are facing whether that is writing an implementation research grant, designing a PhD, or carrying out a fully-fledged implementation research programme.

The next session will be:

April 13th-15th 2026
May 11th – 13th 2026
June 8th- 10th 2026

You will receive an email after registering including calendar invites with zoom links. You will also receive the course workbook a week before the course starts.

To register click here. If you have any questions or wish to talk with Kristian about the training content or tailored courses, email him at kristian.hudson@yhia.nhs.uk.

If you have questions about signing up to the training or need assistance email academy@yhia.nhs.uk

Cancellation & Refund Policy
You may cancel your enrolment and receive a full refund up to 30 days before the course start date. After this deadline, no refunds will be issued.

"Thank you for all your efforts in preparing this course. I enjoyed the small group. I felt it allowed for more conversation style learning rather than being talked to. I enjoyed how the facilitator checked in with how the group was frequently, offered flexibility with breaks etc. and responded to questions appropriately. I have dyslexia so having access to course materials earlier meant that I was able to pre-read and prepare myself for the course. Had I have not had this access, I would have found the course content overwhelming"

Course attendee, November 2024

"There was a lot I liked about the course - Kristian was engaging, the mix of attendees was great for discussions, lots of useful information especially around the background to implementation"

Course attendee, September 2024

"I enjoyed the short but frequent sessions. -I enjoyed the group activities -the case study examples really brought the theory to life"

Course attendee, September 2024

"I really enjoyed this course and intend to use the content in my research practice"

Course attendee, November 2024

Course Overview

A clear understanding of what implementation science is and why it matters for achieving impact in practice

Insight into why traditional, linear approaches often fail and how complexity shapes real-world implementation.

Practical tools to diagnose context, identify barriers and facilitators, and tailor strategies to local systems.

Experience using key implementation frameworks (e.g. CFIR, Proctor’s outcomes, NASSS, Dynamic Sustainability Framework) to guide your work.

Skills to integrate systems thinking — including adaptation, leverage points, and de-implementation — into your implementation efforts.

An understanding of the relational side of implementation: trust-building, stakeholder engagement, and social networks as drivers of success.

Approaches for embedding continuous learning into implementation research through rapid evaluation, PDSA cycles, and capturing ‘within-system’ learning.

Practical experience in applying implementation research essentials through real-world case studies and collaborative exercises.