Course
Intermediate
Research
Researcher Development Programme (RDP)
The aim of the Researcher Development Programme is for people to gain confidence and begin to get more involved in research. Your focus could be personal and/or team development.
Depending on your level of experience, the programme will include an introduction to commonly used research approaches as well as techniques for using research evidence, and ways to get involved with research projects and teams. The overarching aim is to make research more accessible, raise awareness of how research improves care and to engage anyone living or working in our communities to get involved.
During the training days we will also introduce you to a wide range of opportunities you could take to get more involved in research and support you in doing so. These will include fellowships and internships which we can support you to apply for.
More about this
Course
What the Course Provides:
There are three training days spread over five months covering:
Training to access and appraise research evidence
An introduction to patient and public involvement in research
An introduction to a variety of research methods, statistics and research ethics
Training and support in sharing learning and writing
Activities to help you develop and plan your research ideas
Coaching from those actively involved in research
Support for career development and funding opportunities
Support to link with research networks in a field of your interest
Peer support from your cohort, and others across the programme
Support between training days from a wide range of workshops, drop-ins, and opportunity updates
Outcomes of the Course:
By the end of the programme, we expect to see you working with our support on an initiative that will lead to any of the following outcomes. This will vary depending on each individual but may include:
A literature review or summary/report of a chosen topic
Poster preparation for a conference or learning event
A presentation at a conference or learning event
A patient or public engagement event
An evaluation report or summary
A spotlight piece e.g., a blog for social media to share with others your experience and progress
Project updates to professional team meetings to support research activity and skills development within the clinical team
Development of a funding application to support further research skill development
Who Would Find This Course Useful?
The RDP is aimed at clinical and non-clinical staff, as well as people with lived experience and anyone who works alongside us; providing community and mental healthcare in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. As we tailor the programme around you, you can apply with any level of experience in research or academic training.
This training is delivered by:
The Academy Team
Specialists from Research, Improvement and Participation
Upcoming Dates:
There are three training days spread over five months. The first and last days are in person and the middle day virtual. The days are:
23rd March 2026 - Moorgreen Hospital (education room)
18th May 2026 - Virtual
6th July 2026 - Delme Place (Fareham)
For sufficient numbers of applicants from the Isle of Wight, we will arrange separate training days to suit the majority of applicants on the Island.
Apply:
Applications for the Spring 2026 programme are open. Please complete the form here. The closing date for applications is 28th February 2026. If you would like to discuss this course or be placed on the waiting list for future courses please contact hiowh.academy@nhs.net.
Here to Support Patients and Service Users
The Academy team including the topic experts that present on the programme are keen to support you during and after the programme as your research ideas, interests, and opportunities develop. This can include opportunity updates, workshops, drop ins and coaching as well as tailored advice e.g. if you are applying for a course, internship or research grant.
We hope that participants will join a growing research community around Hampshire and the IOW, and we are committed to supporting you beyond the programme. Participants will also act as ambassadors for research alongside people from our Research Leaders programme.
Voices of RDP: Blogs from Past Attendees
"A great programme bringing together important information on training, funding, knowledge, and support to build research capacity that meets the needs of people with a range of experience from various areas."
"The programme has been brilliant. It has given me breathing days between clinical work. The team have been incredibly supportive, patient and understanding. I have really felt heard and supported in the NHS."
"It has been fantastic. The course leaders clearly have a love for research, which really was inspiring. There is so much support available, with a lot of opportunities to continue to develop. I have no recommendations to make except keep running the course!"