08 July 2025
New podcast explores clinical academic careers to demystify research
The NIHR INSIGHT podcast was developed by the programme's Student Reference Panel.
The NIHR INSIGHT programme for South London aims to demystify research for students and professionals in health and care by providing research masters studentships for 19 masters programmes across four partner universities, including King's. It is being led at King's by Professor Catherine Evans, Interim Director of the Cicely Saunders Institute and Professor of Palliative Care in the Faculty of Nursing, Midwifery and Palliative Care. Find out more information about clinical academic training programmes in the Faculty.
The programme's Student Reference Panel interviewed clinical academics from a range of professions and backgrounds to learn more about their career path so far. Find out more and listen to the podcasts below.
Meet your hosts: Firdaus Omar and Joan Chukwuemeke
Firdaus Omar is a final-year BSc (Hons) Occupational Therapy student at London South Bank University and a student representative for the NIHR South London INSIGHT Programme. She is passionate about evidence-based practice, with a keen interest in paediatrics, and aspire to pursue clinical research.
Joan Chukwuemeke, known as Jojo, is a second-year BSc (Hons) Children’s Nursing student at Kingston University. She is currently part of the NIHR INSIGHT Research Podcast and Student Reference Panel for South London.
Episode 1: becoming a clinical academic with Ian Simcock and Queen Adeyanju
Dr Ian Simcock is the lead clinical-academic radiographer at Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children and has over 20 years research experience using cross-sectional imaging in oncology and post-mortem applications. He has worked in multiple areas of imaging, both Nationally and Internationally, gaining a wide range of expertise which he employs to maximise his research impact.
Queen Adeyanju is a Ward Sister at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital and more recently, alongside this role, a clinical academic nurse. She has been recognised for her innovative research on using virtual reality technology to reduce post-operative pain. Her groundbreaking study not only aims to enhance patient comfort but also has the potential to significantly reduce reliance on opiates, leading to substantial cost savings for the NHS. Queen's exemplary work as both a clinical leader and research advocate demonstrates her commitment to advancing patient care.
Episode 2: becoming a clinical academic with Olivia McVeigh-Mellor and Kenneth Yaskey
Olivia McVeigh-Mellor is a Motor Learning Lab Technician at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital and Doctoral researcher at Brunel University London researching the topic of attention and adaptive gait exploring the gaze behaviour and neural activity of older adults while walking.
Kenneth Yaskey is a Senior Lecturer in Social Work, Social Work, Community and Public Health at London South Bank University. He has over 2 decades of experience in the social care arena in a variety of settings which includes youth offending, lac and leaving care and front-line child protection safeguarding and permanency.
Episode 3: becoming a clinical academic with Anthony Gilbert
Anthony Gilbert is a postdoctoral research physiotherapist at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital. Anthony's research areas of interest include patient experience, rehabilitation and access to healthcare for people experiencing deprivation. Anthony is currently leading the 'Way-in to MSK Study' which is funded by NIHR SPCR and investigates the challenges people with musculoskeletal problems face accessing primary care musculoskeletal services across Enfield and Stoke-on-Trent.
Episode 4: becoming a clinical academic with Sam Irving
Sam Irving is Associate Director (Professions Allied to Healthcare) for King's Clinical Academic Training Office at King's College London. Sam is chief paediatric respiratory research physiologist at the Royal Brompton Hospital, part of Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, and has been an active clinical academic since completing her PhD at Imperial College London in 2015. In Sam’s KCATO role, she works closely with Professor Catherine Evans, Deputy Director, specifically to provide leadership and representation for professions allied to healthcare, and creating a visible focal point for training professionals in research.
All recordings were produced and edited by Alan Joyce, a volunteer at Radio Brockley, based at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Trust.
The INSIGHT Research Podcasts have been arranged by Jo Teixeira, NIHR Nursing and Midwifery, Nursing Research Lead at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital and a clinical nurse at the Manor Hospital, Oxford.