30 Nov - 1 Dec 2010, Midland Hotel Manchester

The 4^th NIHR Trainees Meeting was attended by 256 delegates despite the freezing weather conditions across the country. The aim of the meeting was to enable Trainees to network, gain inspiration from researchers and research stakeholders, as well as to provide knowledge through workshops.

Day One was chaired by Professor Jim Neilson, Dean of NIHR Trainees who introduced Dr. Russell Hamilton, Director of Research and Development at the Department of Health.  Dr. Hamilton welcomed delegates to the meeting; emphasize the importance of Trainees to the future of the NIHR.

Sir Iain Chalmers followed, with a fascinating speech about his career (beginning in Gaza in the 1970s) which led him to become involved in investigating the uncertainties of the effects of existing treatments, rather than new treatments. 

The afternoon session was devoted to workshops that allowed delegates to divide into professional groups to share their experiences as Trainees, network and feedback to the NIHR. This was followed by an interactive session facilitated by George Binney from Ashridge Consulting. George led a group through a discussion of their experiences as trainees. The group discussed both positive and negative experiences including how they overcame some of the typical hurdles encountered in an early career in research. This session provoked much discussion from the floor with many trainees evidently sharing similar issues. 

Day Two was chaired Dr. Lisa Cotterill, Director of the NIHR Trainees Coordinating Centre. The first session was facilitated by George Binney and focused on the experience of trainees who had been involved in the NIHR Leadership Programme. This was a lively session with the participants explaining their initial trepidation about the programme, their need to adapt to get the best from the Programme and what they learned. Participants were very positive about the programme and its benefits, encouraging others to get involved.

The rest of the morning was devoted to workshops developed to help trainees in their day-to-day work and career development. The workshops subjects included mentoring, managing life work balance, a systematic review master class and making successful fellowship applications. The workshop on making successful fellowship applications included  short presentations in addition to two ‘live’ fellowship interviews – one of which would have been successful and one not. This allowed the audience to understand what selection panels observe, and how they deliberate over candidates, as well as the preparation that candidates need to undertake to be successful. This provoked much discussion and proved a useful forum for fellowship panel members to explain what they look for in a candidate, how important interview preparation is and the obvious mistakes to avoid.

The final afternoon presentation was given by Lester Firkins, a member of the James Lind Alliance, who described how as a banker for 35 years he became involved in health research after his son Ellis died from vCJD in 2001. It underlined the value and contribution that patients and the public can bring to research design, implementation and dissemination.

The meeting was closed by Dr. David Cox, Deputy Director of the NIHR Faculty who reiterated the importance of the work of the Trainees both to patients and the public but also to the continued success of the NIHR.

Further details of the meeting including photos and presentation slides are available on the Trainees Coordinating Centre website.