10 July 2026
Research Capacity Building at HSCWRU: Research Visitors and Interns
A core part of the Health & Social Care Workforce Research Unit's work
Building research capacity is a core part of the Health & Social Care Workforce Research Unit's work. We are committed to supporting the development of future researchers and strengthening research skills through collaboration, training, mentorship, and knowledge exchange. We welcome research visitors, interns, students and early-career researchers. Visitors have opportunities to engage with our projects, learn about research methods and policy-focused research, and contribute to a vibrant research community.
The Unit is currently involved with the major capacity building initiatives: 'Care Work', the Adult Social Care Workforce Research Partnership, and the CARES-Well Workforce Partnership. Previous capacity building initiatives include the NIHR ARC South London SHARE scheme.
- Capacity Building Leads: Janet Robinson & Caroline Norrie.
Current/recent research visitors
Abigail Andrew
Human Resources Graduate Management Trainee, People Operations Team - Secure Care and Offender Health, Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health Foundation Trust (2 months)
I am currently an HR Graduate Management Trainee on the NHS Graduate Management Trainee Scheme, where I am developing a broad understanding of workforce management across healthcare settings. As part of my training, I am undertaking placements in employee relations, workforce planning, and widening participation, gaining experience in supporting workforce practices. I am joining the research unit on a two-month flexi placement to deepen my understanding of the workforce I support from a research perspective and to explore how evidence can inform HR practice.
My research interests align with my current placements, alongside a wider focus on the people aspects of the workforce. This is informed by my academic background in Psychology and Education, which underpins my interest in behaviour, engagement, and inclusive workforce development.
Clare Bowerman
Culture and Communications Manager for the Lambeth Health Determinants Research Collaboration (HDRC)
HDRC is an NIHR-funded programme that strengthens the use of research and evidence to tackle health inequalities. Clare's work focuses on knowledge mobilisation, organisational learning, research culture and community-informed approaches to evidence use in local government.
With more than 20 years’ experience across public health, higher education, global policy, consultancy and digital health, Clare has held roles at the World Health Organization, UCL, Unmind and Affinity Health at Work. She has led programmes spanning organisational culture, evidence translation, strategic communications and behaviour change. An HCPC-registered Occupational Psychologist, she has particular interests in equity, systems change and translating complex evidence into practical action.
Nazia Hussain
Previous NIHR ARC South London SHARE scheme awardee
Dr. Nazia Hussain is a management consultant and researcher, with over 40 years of international experience across UK, Europe, and UAE. Her expertise includes research and analysis, business transformation, change management and strategic project delivery. Throughout her career, she has worked with leading organisations including IBM, PwC, Citigroup, and government entities in Abu Dhabi/Dubai.
Nazia holds a DBA from Cranfield University, where her research examined the influence of religion and family on UAE women’s career choices and engagement.
Following the loss of her mother to Alzheimer’s disease, she has become actively involved in dementia awareness and advocacy through Alzheimer’s Society and her platform, Dementia Sphere (www.dementiasphere.com). Her work focuses on supporting underrepresented communities, raising awareness, and improving support for carers and families affected by dementia. Most recently, she launched the ‘1 Million Squares for Dementia’ project, using craft to promote dementia awareness and community engagement. She lives in London with her husband and enjoys travelling, baking, crocheting and reading.
Grace Kingerlee
Apprentice Research Programmes Officer, DHSC
I am an apprentice research programmes officer, working at the Department of Health and Social Care alongside studying at the University of Kent towards a degree in applied social research. I work across a wide range of research areas, such as oral health.
Jessica La
NIHR SSCR Career Development Award
Dr Jessica La is a Research Fellow from the Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing, Midwifery and Palliative Care (NMPC) who has received a SSCR Career Development Award to develop skills as a social care researcher. She specialises in using video-based methods to explore communication and interaction at work and is a member of the Work Interaction, and Technology group at King's Business School (KBS). Her research explores communication in a range of contexts including health and social care, hospitality, and performance.
Jessica has a PhD in management and organisational studies from (KBS) and a research background in psychology and sociology. Her early research focused on how identities and psychological states are produced by talk, the body and discourse.
Doreenlove Osei-Nkrumah
NIHR Career Development Intern
Doreenlove Osei-Nkrumah is a registered nurse and public health professional originally from Ghana, currently living and working in the UK. She holds a Master’s degree in Public Health with a focus on population, fertility, and reproductive health, and has over 20 years of experience across different healthcare specialties, with a background in clinical care, leadership, education, and global health.
She currently works at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, where she supports patient care and staff development in leadership roles. Doreenlove recently completed a course in Project Management in Global Health and is currently undertaking an NIHR internship course and placement with the Health and Social Care Workforce Research Unit. She is also studying Fundamentals of Global Health Research with the University of Washington.
Alongside her NHS and research work, Doreenlove volunteers with Operation Smile as a Clinical Coordinator and Clinical Educator and PACU nurse supporting cleft surgery programs and mentoring upcoming coordinators across different countries.
Her research interests include strengthening healthcare systems, improving access to quality surgical and maternal healthcare, healthcare leadership, workforce development, and advancing global health equity, particularly in low-resource settings.
Tom Richards
NIHR SSCR Practice Evaluation Scheme (2 year scheme)
Local Area Coordination Network Manager, CommunityCatalysts
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Senior Research Fellow
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