Formal training courses & WHO attendance

Sallianne Kavanagh, University of Huddersfield

In additional to my senior lecturer role and clinical pharmacist appointment I am undertaking my PhD. This transition from a clinically focussed role to portfolio career was an intentional move to increase my research capabilities and develop my career towards the consultant pharmacist or clinical academic pathway.  

I have a strong history of service improvement from my clinical roles and recognised that although these small-scale projects are valuable in their own context, they often do not follow robust methodology or have meaningful impact beyond the local area.  

My current short-term focus is on development my own skills and completing my PhD. However, my longer-term goal is to be either a consultant pharmacist that truly embodies all pillars of the role, or to be a clinical academic. I envisage that either of the roles will support me to be able to both deliver excellent clinical care, whilst also being able to effectively and robustly build the evidence base for clinical pharmacy practice. I recognise that my position with these roles will also enable me, as a clinical and academic leader, to be able to support other pharmacy professionals to participate in pharmacy research and develop their own research skills. 

I am already recognised as a senior practitioner of influence within and beyond the UK. I am leading medicines policy formation in the endocrine field within UK institutions such as NICE. I have been recently appointed to the WHO Roster of Experts for diabetes and designated a Fellow of the RPS. Support to develop my research skills will help me to achieve my potential as a UK and global medicines policy leader, increasing the visibility of pharmacists where medicine usually dominates the agenda. 

I have applied for this bursary as I have identified that formal external training would be an effective means to best develop the skills I need to undertake my project. Additionally, I recognise that the realities and practicalities of completing my PhD whilst working full time, often means that research time slips, and the other roles take priority.  The building in of funded and protected learning opportunities will help to maintain my research commitment and focus. Through this focussed commitment, I will be able to take the next large step towards gaining my PhD and meeting my professional development goals.  

Final report available here.