Who are Research and Innovation Ltd?
The founding partners in Research and Innovation Ltd are Noreen Caine and Wendy Fisher. Julia Miller and Jim Elliott are Associates of the company.
Noreen Caine is an independent consultant specializing in research and innovation in the NHS. Recent projects include an interim R&D management role in NHS East of England , the development of research and innovation strategies in Bristol and in North Staffordshire ; conducting a review of a regional NHS Innovation Hub and acting as an interim Director of R&D in Southampton . Particular interests are strategic development across health economies and improving collaboration between the NHS and healthcare industries through schemes such as the Small Business Research Initiative.
An experienced NHS Director of Research and Development, Noreen established a Unit at Papworth Hospital , in Cambridge , which gained a national reputation for excellence in research, research management and governance. As a senior research fellow at the University of Cambridge , Noreen pioneered the use of measurements of health related quality of life in measuring the outcomes of heart transplantation and later specialized in health technology assessment. Author of over 60 publications in mainly medical journals
Noreen was closely involved in the setting up of the East of England NHS Innovation Hub and led an initiative to establish a Biotechnology Incubator on the Papworth site, in partnership with the East of England Development Agency. In 2004, Noreen joined the R&D team in the Department of Health and was involved in the development of the research strategy for the NHS, Best Research for Best Health .
Wendy Fisher MSc.
Wendy brings a unique blend of extensive NHS and academic experience. As a previous clinician and manager in the NHS Wendy brings a wealth of practical and strategic knowledge to the company. Teamed with her MSc in research methods and research experience of leading EU projects in electronic reading and communication systems Wendy is able to identify entrepreneurial and strategic opportunities. Wendy was one of the SHA secondees advising on the set up of the Comprehensive Research Networks and has also been involved in the research passport since its piloting phase. Since becoming a freelance consultant Wendy has also developed intelligence systems for Macmillan; set up governance systems for hospices wishing to undertake research; conducted research on immigration for the Home Office; undertaken investigations into serious untoward events in Trusts and prisons and is currently working with several major Trusts in London providing an interim management and strategic development service. Wendy's motivation comes from developing teams of staff that understand the wider concepts and landscape of governance allowing them to deliver an efficient and pragmatic service.
Julia Miller PhD
Julia has a wealth of research management experience in a range of different sectors, both academic and NHS. Her career started in Primary and Community Care and she has since worked in a Strategic Health Authority, University and Hospital Trust. Julia has been involved in a range of activities which have had a national profile, including working with teams in Manchester to develop the Research Passport and supporting the development of the first NIHR funded “School” for primary care research. In her current role, which she has held since June 2008,
Julia has worked as part of the NIHR Collaboration for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care (CLAHRC) for Greater Manchester Executive team. Her role as Chief Operating Officer means she has a key part in developing and establishing the initiative and developing greater links between the University and the NHS for the benefit of patients. CLARHCs are one of the first funded initiatives to look at the role of implementation of research in the NHS and involve developing strong links between the two organisations. Julia has also cultivated an interest and carried out research in the field of telehealth and assistive devices for patients, which has led her to become interested in the practical aspects of supporting the development of innovation for patient benefit.
Jim Elliott PhD
Jim has over 20 years of research management experience across the commercial, public and voluntary sectors following his early academic career to post doctoral level in biochemistry and microbiology. As an R&D Manager for the Department of Health Jim developed research governance systems for NHS organizations. He was part of the team that developed the original “Culyer” funding policy and later led a review of NHS Support for Science funding that paved the way for Best Research for Best Health. He also chaired the interim management committee that set up Health Enterprise East, the innovation hub company for the East of England
As Macmillan Cancer Support's first permanent Head of Research and then Research Adviser Jim developed Macmillan's research management processes and its first strategy for research. He has championed the development of research priorities that reflect the needs of people affected by cancer. Over the past year and a half Jim, as the scientific support to the National Cancer Survivorship Initiative research work stream, has managed a review of research in cancer survivorship to develop priorities to improve the health and well being of people living with cancer in the UK .
After six years at Macmillan Cancer Support Jim is now working as an independent consultant on health and social care research strategy, management and governance with a particular interest in facilitating effective public and patient involvement. He is a member of the Advisory Group of INVOLVE, the NIHR funded body who advise researchers on user involvement in health and social care research.
