Researcher praises CRN South London’s research funding programme

A south London researcher has praised a research funding programme for helping to raise his profile within the renal disorders medical specialty.

The ‘Greenshoots’ programme run by CRN South London aims to support new principal investigators and emerging areas of research by giving them funding to ensure protected time for them to work on NIHR-supported portfolio studies.

Consultant Nephrologist Dr Richard Hull, who works for St George’s University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust in the Renal and Transplant Unit, took part in the ‘Greenshoots’ funding scheme in 2016.

Dr Hull, who is CRN South London’s Research Specialty Lead (RSL) for Renal Disorders, urged new investigators to consider using the ‘Greenshoots’ funding programme. He said:

“The ‘Greenshoots’ initiative gives new investigators the time to get started in research and to build up their portfolio of work. In a busy clinical job, there never seems to be enough time and the programme allows clinicians to have dedicated time to focus on starting up clinical trials and recruiting participants for the CRN.

“I was starting to become active in renal research and my reason for taking part in ‘Greenshoots’ was because I wanted to become a principal investigator and advance my clinical research career.

“My experience on the programme was really positive. I, eventually, became known in my specialty as an active clinical researcher. The programme also helped me become CRN South London’s RSL for Renal Disorders in 2019.”

Specialty leads develop clinical activity within a specific area of medicine, encouraging local hospital clinicians to undertake research within the field.

CRN South London’s Chief Operating Officer Dr James Lyddiard said: “I’m delighted to hear that our ‘Greenshoots’ programme has helped Richard to grow the portfolio of renal disorder studies.

“The more research we can do into pivotal areas, the faster we will be able to implement changes in clinical care to help people living with different conditions. This Network will always stand shoulder-to-shoulder with researchers and the wider scientific community in delivering high-quality health and social care research, including drug trials that people can access in south London.”

If you’re interested in finding out more about the programme, please email crnsouthlondon@nihr.ac.uk.