Gloucestershire nurse appointed as NIHR Senior Research Leader
A Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust nurse has been appointed as a Senior Research Leader by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR).
Pauline Brown, Research Matron at the Trust, will join a national network of nursing, midwifery and allied health professionals working to strengthen research in health and social care and improve patient outcomes.
The three-year programme supports experienced clinicians to embed research into everyday practice and build capacity across the workforce. Pauline will dedicate two days a week to the role alongside her current position.
Pauline said: “The Senior Research Leader Programme is designed to help develop a strong research culture and build the capacity and capability for nurses, midwives, AHPs to get involved in research. We know that research active organisations deliver better patient outcomes, so it’s something that we as professionals need to see as part of our everyday clinical practice - an essential element of delivering high quality patient care. This is reflected in our Trust 5 year strategy which includes research and innovation as an enabler of our success."
One of the key challenges the programme aims to address is the perception that research is complex or inaccessible.
Pauline added: “Anyone in the organisation can get involved in research. Part of my role will be supporting colleagues, sharing information and connecting teams so that our research culture can flourish.
“We want staff to feel confident in being research minded, whether that’s taking part in studies, supporting projects, or helping patients access research opportunities. This is how we develop the research leaders of the future.”
Pauline Brown, NIHR Senior Research Leader and Research Matron
Pauline brings more than 30 years’ experience at the Trust, having worked in general and acute medicine before moving into stroke research. She progressed to Lead Research Nurse, supporting clinical trials, and now holds the role of Research Matron.
She said: “It’s about asking what we can do better in our day-to-day work, and using evidence to improve care and outcomes for our patients.”
Pauline’s Senior Research Leader role began in May 2026, with updates on the programme to be shared throughout.