Your path in research: Caroline's story

Caroline Winckley (pictured far right) is part of the Direct Delivery Team at NIHR Clinical Research Network Greater Manchester. Having originally studied to become a maths teacher, Caroline took a complete change in direction which led to her becoming a Clinical Research Practitioner who helps people take part in research in community settings. This is her Your Path in Research story.

I graduated from the University of Reading with a degree in Mathematics and Psychology, and was sure that I wanted to work in education as a secondary school maths teacher. I began my teacher training programme, however I realised that teaching wasn’t the career for me. After completing my teacher training and deciding not to pursue that further, I had no idea what I wanted to do next but chose to see this as an exciting opportunity, where I could do anything.

I searched various job websites, including NHS jobs and stumbled across a job in research, as a Non-Medical Research Intern at University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust. I thought it sounded interesting; I enjoyed doing my research project at University so decided to give it a go. I quickly discovered that I loved working in research and it was the career for me, to be able to make a difference and have an impact on improving the health of our population!

This was back in 2017 and five years later I have gained a wealth of invaluable knowledge of research through my experience working at different Trusts and most recently from working at the NIHR Clinical Research Network Greater Manchester. 

My current role at CRN Greater Manchester is as a Clinical Research Practitioner (CRP). The role of a CRP has come to fruition these past 12 months with the accredited register opening in April 2021, to give CRPs the recognition and a professional identity. The accredited register also provides trust and assurance for our participants that we are a competent and skilled workforce. Working within the CRN has helped me to develop my skills to support me within this role.

I am part of the Direct Delivery Team (DDT), which focuses on reaching out to underserved populations and engaging with local communities. Over the past year we have taken research out into the community to a number of different and novel settings, such as to local mosques, markets, sporting events, shopping centres and festivals, such as Manchester Mega Mela. As a CRP I am not only involved in the delivery of research, but also in assisting to create these opportunities with my CRN Greater Manchester colleagues; scoping out new venues for recruitment, engaging with the local community and developing these relationships. I thoroughly enjoy the variety that this gives me within my role and look forward to seeing where else we can take research to ensure that it is as accessible as possible for our entire population in Greater Manchester.

The NIHR’s Your Path in Research campaign highlights how people can make research part of their career. Go to the NIHR website for more information on how to get started.