In August 2023, the UCLH Research Directorate delivered a month-long campaign to raise awareness of research career pathways and support for staff at all stages of their professional development.
The campaign aligned with NIHR’s national ‘Your Path in Research’ initiative and contributed directly to UCLH’s and the NIHR UCLH Biomedical Research Centre’s strategies on workforce development, research portfolio improvement and equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI).
Working in collaboration with colleagues across UCL and UCLH, the campaign brought together training and development professionals to deliver a coordinated programme of webinars, blogs, communications and career resources. The content was designed to inspire and guide both new and established staff from medical, nursing, midwifery and allied health professionals, to research operations, data, finance, and governance specialists.
Throughout the campaign, career profiles and blogs showcased staff working in research support and business functions. The career profiles illustrated the variety of entry routes into research and highlighted opportunities for progression across a range of disciplines.
The campaign concluded with the launch of a Job Shadowing Programme for Research Directorate staff, enabling colleagues to observe peers in different roles, gain insights into other workstreams and develop cross-functional skills. This initiative reinforced UCLH’s commitment to nurturing talent, promoting internal mobility, and supporting professional development across the research workforce.
