Please could you tell us a little bit about yourself and your career to date?
My interest in research started when a medical undergraduate at the University of St Andrews. I was awarded a MRC studentship to undertake an honours year research project, which led to an opportunity to join one of the early cohorts of students on, what was then, a very new concept, the Cambridge MB/PhD programme (having turned down an offer to do clinical studies at Oxford!). Nearly 10 years of full time clinical training to become a Cardiologist followed. However, this training brought me to Oxford and being in Oxford enabled me to step back, with the generous support of the British Heart Foundation, into a clinical academic career.
Since then we have been thinking up novel ways to prevent heart disease, particularly for mothers who develop pregnancy hypertension. As a research group we have tended to pursue the hypothesis, rather than a methodology, which means we have developed a very collaborative and teamwork approach to science. This also means there have been a range of different outcomes over the years including ‘papers we are very proud of’ and ‘large randomised controlled trials’, through to patents and spin out companies, as well as new clinics and guidelines. At the end of the day, the impact of our research on patient care is what matters to us, which is why we view innovation as ‘core business’ of research.
What attracted you to the role of Academic Lead for Innovation?
The advertised job description had three very clear aims for the role: strengthen strategic engagement with internal and external innovation stakeholders; align innovation activities with divisional priorities; and enhance the visibility and coordination of Medical Sciences Division’s innovation support infrastructure. The chance to ‘strengthen engagement’, ‘align priorities’ and ‘enhance profile’ of what is already a hugely impressive, nationally significant, innovation ecosystem within the Medical Sciences Division felt like an amazing opportunity.
What is currently at the top of your to-do list?
Right now I am connecting with various stakeholders and getting to grips with all that the Medical Sciences Division has to offer within innovation.
How does your own research and clinical work influence your approach to innovation?
When you are both a clinician and researcher you are in a privileged position. You get to see, first-hand, what really matters to patients, and also where we, as doctors, are struggling to help patients. You are also given resources and opportunity to try and put those things right. For me, innovation is about undertaking research and turning what you find into practical solutions to solve those problems. As a result we can then start to deliver healthcare differently and, hopefully, better.
How does your role support researchers who are just starting to think about translating their ideas into real-world impact?
Within the University and Medical Sciences Division there are already great resources that can be accessed by researchers starting to think about translating ideas. Both Oxford University Innovation and the Translational Research Office can provide initial conversations to advise on how to protect ideas, what evidence is likely to be needed for the next steps, and what funding sources might be available to move ideas forward. A couple of the things we are looking at right now is how we might be able to strengthen innovation educational programmes so that they feel more ‘bespoke’ for medical sciences researchers, and how we link together processes, reducing barriers, so that the innovation pipeline feels as easy and natural as possible.
What’s one thing you wish more colleagues knew about the innovation support available across the Division, and University?
How interactive the teams can be. As academics we get used to submitting papers and grants, and then waiting to receive a result. It can feel very one-way. With innovation it is about two way conversations, adapting ideas, having further conversations and keeping going to find the best route for the innovation.
What have been some of the most important lessons you’ve learned during your career so far?
Everyone is equally important. Pursue the ideas that intrigue you. Patience!