Be part of a multi-disciplinary panel supporting research in the NHS
The Pre-Sponsorship Review Panel (PSRP) started in January 2021 and has already reviewed eight applications. The team are now looking to invite further qualitative and quantitative researchers to join the panel. The PSRP works in collaboration with researchers and sponsors to advise and support the development of high-quality sponsorship applications prior to submission to the HRA (Health Research Authority).
Any researcher who will be conducting research in the NHS, and is employed by the University of Sussex; University of Brighton; Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust; or University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust will have their application reviewed by the PSRP prior to obtaining sponsorship approval.
Members of the panel are asked to review researcher’s sponsorship applications (IRAS form, protocol and participant documents), bringing comments to the monthly panel meeting (two hours in length) for discussion. You are not expected to attend every meeting however to ensure consistency, the PSRP would like you to commit for two years to be on the panel, and to attend a minimum of three meetings per year.
This is a great opportunity to work with a multi-disciplinary team across four organisations, learning and sharing experience of what makes a good research sponsorship and ethics application. You will play a key role in supporting local researchers and peers.
Feedback from current panel members:
“It has been an interesting experience, exposing me to different areas of medicine and study methodologies. Time spent reviewing studies has developed my critical appraisal skills and also allowed me to develop coaching and mentoring strategies in feeding back to and supporting users both within and outside the group. It has helped me network with other members of the clinical research community and spend time with the PPI members who bring valuable and sometimes surprising perspectives…allowing me to hone my own study development and essential document design.”
Sally Appleyard, Clinical Academic Fellow
“The pre-sponsorship review panel were supportive throughout the process, providing feedback which allowed us to quickly progress to REC review. The PRSP also provided a valuable opportunity to engage with patients and members of the public in the design of the study and participant materials.”
Dr Matt Stevens, NIHR Academic Clinical Fellow in Infectious Diseases and Medical Microbiology, a recent researcher who had their application reviewed by the panel.
To find out more, please contact the team at psrp@sussex.ac.uk >