West Midlands

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

Louise McKnight

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

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):

@CAHPRWestMids

@c_ahern26

@KLouiseMcKnight

@NeilNeilsmith2

@liverphysio

@alicefreer18

 

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.

october keele

Events

Online

24/02/2025

Scoping reviews

Online

26/02/2025

Conversation Café

Online

26/02/2025

Top tips: how to write a conference abstract

South Central

06/03/2025

Steps to success in research – Bournemouth

 

Hear about AHP research opportunities in West Midlands

AHP podium presentations with prizes

Opportunities to meet and network

Workshops

Join the West Midlands Clinical Academic Database here

Meet our West Midlands Hub leads and facilitators

Louise McKnight

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Find out more about our CAHPR NIHR Research Champions.

Lisa MacDougall

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

Find out more about our CAHPR NIHR Research Champions.

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