University of Bristol experts appointed Senior Investigators by National Institute of Health and Care Research

David Abbott, Professor of Social Policy

Rebecca Kearney, Professor and Director of Bristol Trials Centre

Press release issued: 18 March 2024

Two University of Bristol academics have been awarded Senior Investigator status by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR).

The NIHR is funded by the Department of Health and Social Care to try and improve health and wealth in the UK through research.

David Abbott, Professor of Social Policy from the School of Policy Studies and Rebecca Kearney, Professor and Director of Bristol Trials Centre in the Bristol Medical School: Population Health Sciences (PHS), have been named as Senior Investigators by the NIHR, meaning they will help guide research capacity development and enhance the career paths of NIHR researchers.

NIHR Senior Investigators are among the most prominent and prestigious researchers funded by the NIHR and the most outstanding leaders of social care and health research within the NIHR.

Professor Abbott said: "I'm happy that this recognition shines a light on the talent and leadership in the social care research community, and look forward to supporting the NIHR Academy to nurture future generations of social care researchers."

Professor Kearney added: "It is a privilege to be selected to join the NIHR College of Senior Investigators, to act as an ambassador to support research excellence and the development of future research leaders."

The NIHR Academy is responsible for the development and coordination of NIHR academic training, career development and research capacity development. The academy plays a pivotal role in attracting, training and supporting talented health and care researchers to tackle the complex challenges facing the sector.

The NIHR works in partnership with the NHS, universities, local government, other research funders, patients and the public to fund, enable and deliver world-leading health and social care research that improves people's health and wellbeing, and promotes economic growth.

Full details of the 2024 NIHR Senior Investigator and Senior Investigator Emeritus appointments are available here: 43 research leaders awarded prestigious NIHR Senior Investigator award.

Full details of all NIHR Senior Investigators are available on the NIHR Senior Investigators Directory.

Further information

About the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR)
The mission of the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) is to improve the health and wealth of the nation through research. We do this by:

Funding high quality, timely research that benefits the NHS, public health and social care;
Investing in world-class expertise, facilities and a skilled delivery workforce to translate discoveries into improved treatments and services;
Partnering with patients, service users, carers and communities, improving the relevance, quality and impact of our research;
Attracting, training and supporting the best researchers to tackle complex health and social care challenges;
Collaborating with other public funders, charities and industry to help shape a cohesive and globally competitive research system;
Funding applied global health research and training to meet the needs of the poorest people in low- and middle-income countries.

NIHR is funded by the Department of Health and Social Care. Its work in low- and middle-income countries is principally funded through UK Aid from the UK government.

The NIHR is the research partner of the NHS, public health and social care.