Prof Witham steps down as NIHR CRN National Speciality Lead for Ageing

Prof Miles Witham was appointed as National Speciality Lead for Ageing for the NIHR Clinical Research Network (NIHR CRN) in 2019 and during this time has worked to encourage a wide range of research studies involving older people through training and capacity building, and through collaborations with patients and the public. The research landscape was dramatically affected by the COVID-19 pandemic which not only led to the suspension of much non-COVID research to enable urgent COVID research to be delivered, but also transformed the way that clinical research is designed and delivered.

As he leaves the role, Prof Witham reflects on his time as National Speciality Lead:  "I've thoroughly enjoyed the last three years in my role as National Speciality Lead for the NIHR Ageing Clinical Research Network. During that time, our national speciality group has continued to build strategic capacity to deliver clinical research for older people, has made major contributions to improving inclusion of under-served groups via the NIHR INCLUDE project, and has ensured that older people and those caring for older people were represented in COVID pandemic research via the CMO's Urgent Public Health Prioritisation Committee.

As we now move out of the initial phases of the pandemic and switch focus back to non-COVID research delivery, the time is right to hand over the reins. I look forward to supporting my successor, particularly through sharing our innovative approaches to clinical research for older people that we are developing in the AGE Research Group and the NIHR Newcastle BRC"

Prof Witham chaired his final Ageing CRN National Speciality Group meeting in London on 18th October 2022; the first in-person meeting of the group since the onset of the pandemic. The meeting provided an opportunity to reflect on the last three years, but also to plan how the CRN can meet the challenges of research with older people in the coming years as we recover from the pandemic.

Last modified: Mon, 31 Oct 2022 14:15:35 GMT