UCLan professor appointed to develop social care research in the region

28 September 2021

Professor Aidan Worsley is one of six new National Institute for Health Research Specialty Research Leads

A University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) Professor has been appointed by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) to develop its social care research within the North West.

Professor Aidan Worsley is one of six new Specialty Research Leads established by the NIHR Clinical Research Network: North West Coast. His role is to provide expertise, leadership and support within social care research as part of the Network’s vision of making research an integral part of healthcare for all.

Professor Worsley, who is the Research Lead for the School of Social Work, Care and the Community at UCLan, will take on the prestigious new role alongside his UCLan commitments.

"I am excited to be joining the NIHR and supporting their work in reaching out to the social care world on both the adults and children’s side."

Professor Aidan Worsley

As a Specialty Research Lead, he will be working with a wide range of organisations, researchers, practitioners and people with lived experience of services across the region to create a shared vision of how the NIHR can develop the quality of research - and facilitate new capacity - in both social care and social work - whilst acting as a champion for both.

Professor Worsley said: “I am excited to be joining the NIHR and supporting their work in reaching out to the social care world on both the adults and children’s side. I will be retaining my current part time role at UCLan and look forward to connecting colleagues across the region to opportunities within NIHR funding and support.”

"We received a high standard of applications from a field of highly experienced clinician researchers."

Professor Enitan Carrol, Clinical Director of the National Institute for Health Research’s Clinical Research Network in the North West Coast

The Specialty Research Leads will play an integral role in helping the NHIR to delivery its research strategy, with a key focus on research participation and ensuring no communities are disadvantaged by not being involved, as well as forming new collaborative partnerships with individuals and organisations.

Professor Enitan Carrol, Clinical Director for the Network, said: "We are delighted to welcome our new Specialty Research Leads to the Network for the following specialities; surgery, trauma, social care, hepatology, oral and dental. We received a high standard of applications from a field of highly experienced clinician researchers.

More information about the NIHR Clinical Research Network: North West Coast Specialty Research Leads is available online.