We are CAHPR West Midlands Hub. Our aim is to run regional events to support AHP’s to be active in research. We support networking, mentorship and research dissemination and all activities to develop research skills at all levels (pre-registration, pre-masters, pre-doctoral, doctoral and post doctoral).
We’d love to hear from you so please get in touch.
We are part of the CAHPR Midlands Consortia which is made up of CAHPR West Midlands, CAHPR East Midlands, CAHPR Keele and a newly formed hub in 2023, CAHPR Lincolnshire.
Hub Leaders

Dr Louise McKnight
Hub Co-Chair
Diagnostic Radiographer, Senior Lecturer and College Academic Lead for Research, Innovation and Enterprise College of Health and Care Professions, Birmingham City University

Hannah Reilly
Hub Co-Chair
Senior Occupational Therapist, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Trust
Contact us
Please join our mailing list for regular updates by clicking the JOIN OUR HUB button at the top of this page.
Follow us in X (formerly twitter) for the latest WM Hub information, updates and events.
Email: cahprwestmidlands@gmail.com
X (formerly Twitter):
Activities
CAHPR West Midlands hub hosts regular seminars and provides research support, networking and advice to all AHPs.
We organise both on-line and in person research events throughout the year supporting AHPs on their research journey by providing education and networking events, championing AHP research and promoting academic funding opportunities. Additionally, the West Midlands Hub connects with regional cross-consortia and CAHPR events.

Events

Hear about AHP research opportunities in West Midlands
AHP podium presentations with prizes
Opportunities to meet and network
Workshops
Meet our West Midlands Hub leads and facilitators

Louise McKnight – CAHPR WM Hub Co-Chair
Diagnostic Radiographer, Senior Lecturer and College Academic Lead for Research, Innovation and Enterprise College of Health and Care Professions, Birmingham City University
I am pleased to join the hub as co-chair of our region and look forward to promoting our professions, and the importance of research for ourselves, our work, and those who will benefit from it.

Hannah Reilly – CAHPR WM Hub Co-Chair
Senior Occupational Therapist, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Trust
I am delighted to join CAHPR in the role of secretary and recently as the CAHPR WM Hub Co-Chair. As an early-stage researcher, I am excited to be part of a community of research minded health professionals. I look forward to working collaboratively to plan events, support with teaching sessions, connect with a wider network and support others on their research journey.

Caroline Miller – CAHPR WM Hub Co-Facilitator
NIHR Senior Clinical Research Practitioner, Clinical Specialist Physiotherapist Upper Limb, Deputy Clinical Director of Research, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Trust.
I have sat on the hub for over 3 years and have been Hub Co-Chair in the past. My vision is to continue to grow a flourishing inclusive AHP research community in the West Midlands.

Janet Deane– CAHPR WM Hub Research co-Lead
Associate Professor, Reader in Rehabilitation Sciences and Physiotherapy, University of Birmingham, Deputy Director of the Centre of Precision Rehabilitation for Spinal Pain (CPR Spine)
As a Physiotherapist and Associate Professor in Rehabilitation Science and Physiotherapy at the University of Birmingham, it is my pleasure to share my research and career experience with members of our AHP hub through invited talks, informal discussion and to play a leading role in the delivery of our annual research conference. It is an honour to work with such a vibrant community of AHPs to build an accessible, inclusive and thriving research culture.

Felicity Williams – CAHPR WM Hub Treasurer
Consultant Physiotherapist in Heptaology, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Trust, Assistant Professor in Chronic Conditions, University of Birmingham
Hi, I have sat on the CAHPR West Mids Hub board for 3 years. I now act as treasurer, I love being able to plan what we can do for you at events and ensuring we deliver the best possible experience for AHP’s who want to become more research active or enhance the research networks that they have already built.

Neil Smith – CAHPR WM Hub Secretary
Advanced Physiotherapy Practitioner, Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust Musculoskeletal Service
I am the Secretary for the CAHPR West Midlands Hub and love being part of this vibrant team who want to push forwards research opportunities, training and enthusiasm in all AHP’s. We have an exciting year planned for 2024 and I am proud to be a part of it. Watch this space!

Joe Alvarez- CAHPR WM Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Lead
First Contact Dietitian, Primary Care Nutritionist, Shoreditch Park & City
I am delighted to be the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Lead for CAHPR West Midlands. My role is to ensure we are actively extending and promoting opportunities to all AHPs across the region, from all professions and all backgrounds.

Alice Freer– CAHPR WM Hub Vice Chair
Senior Physiotherapist and Specialist Surgery Team Leader, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Trust
I have taken on the role of vice chair to support the facilitators and the chair in the smooth running of our very busy hub! We have so much planned to support our AHP’s in the West Midlands – whether they are already clinical-academics or aspiring clinical-academics – the hub is a team of people who are really committed to giving everyone the best possible education and networking opportunities at all stages in their career.

Jo Barrett – CAHPR WM Hub Committee Member
NIHR Doctoral Fellow, University of Birmingham, Specialist Cystic Fibrosis Dietitian,West Midlands Adult Cystic Fibrosis Centre, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Trust
As a new member of the committee, I’m looking forward to being involved in the hub and meeting other AHP’s who have an interest in research or are involved in research. I will be supporting the committee in delivering our hub events and will be responsible for promoting these events and activities via the new CAHPR website. I look forward to meeting you at an event soon.

Lucy Gardiner – CAHPR NIHR Research Champion WM
Wellcome Doctoral Fellow, University of Leicester, Assistant Professor, University of Birmingham, Honorary Physiotherapist, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Trust
My role involves promoting AHP involvement in research, increasing the visibility of AHPs in research and promoting relevant learning and leadership opportunities. I am passionate about increasing research opportunities and providing education/networking opportunities for AHPs.
Eleanor and Lucy are keen to grow the network of AHPs involved in research in the West Midlands – if you live or work in the region, please consider joining their database here https://forms.office.com/e/MgGrneCdUg

Lisa MacDougall- CAHPR WM Hub Administrator
PA to the Clinical Academic Team, School of Nursing, AHPs & Midwifery, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust
Lisa looks after all the hub administration and supports the committee with the organisation of meetings and events
Trupti Lakha – CAHPR WM Outreach Lead
Specialist Podiatrist in Diabetes at Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust

Eleanor Melvin – CAHPR NIHR Research Champion WM
Research Workforce Development lead, Warwickshire Partnership Trust and honorary research fellow, Warwick Medical School.
Eleanor is a CAHPR Research Champion for the West Midlands. Eleanor is a dramatherapist, working at Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership Trust as Research Workforce Development Lead. She is an honorary research fellow with Warwick Medical School, with her own research focusing on the arts psychotherapies and mental health.
Eleanor and Lucy are keen to grow the network of AHPs involved in research in the West Midlands – if you live or work in the region, please consider joining their database here https://forms.office.com/e/MgGrneCdUg