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Three colleagues from the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration (ARC) North East and North Cumbria (NENC) are amongst the national research leaders named by NIHR in this year’s round of  Senior Investigator awards.

Senior Investigators are among the most outstanding and influential researchers funded by NIHR. They are recognised for the quality and global reach of their research. They also help mentor the next generation, strengthen research culture and embed inclusion.

Appointments for 2026

Newly appointed: Professor Tracy Finch

Professor Tracy Finch from Northumbria University is the current ARC NENC theme lead for Knowledge Mobilisation and Implementation Science (SKIM). From 1 April, she will lead our new research theme of ‘care improvement and safety’.

Professor Finch said: “This award recognises the collaborative work I do to ensure that research to improve health and care for patients and populations considers implementation from the start, and throughout. This prestigious award will help me to share my expertise in new ways, mentoring earlier career researchers, and extending my collaborations. I look forward to shaping NIHR’s portfolio of activities and to learning from other leaders in the NIHR community.”

Newly appointed: Professor Barbara Hanratty

Professor Barbara Hanratty from Newcastle University is the current ARC NENC theme lead for Multi-morbidity, Ageing and Frailty. From 1 April, she will support work delivered through our new ‘prevention including multiple long-term conditions’ research theme.

Professor Hanratty said: “This award was a wonderful surprise. It reflects the exceptional teams I’m proud to work with across NIHR’s Applied Research Collaboration NENC, the Policy Research Unity in Healthy Ageing, and the Patient Safety Research Collaboration.”

Re-appointed: Professor Clare Bambra

Professor Clare Bambra from Newcastle University is the current ARC NENC theme lead for Inequalities and Marginalised Communities. From 1 April, she will lead our ‘addressing inequity in health and care systems’ research theme.

Professor Bambra said: “I am delighted to be re-appointed as a senior investigator, I see it as recognition of the health inequalities work done by the whole ARC NENC team.”

The three colleagues join a group of NIHR Senior Investigators that now stands at approximately 200 active members.

See the full list of newly appointed Senior Investigators

Professor Lucy Chappell, Chief Executive Officer of the NIHR and Chief Scientific Adviser at the Department of Health and Social Care, said: “By recognising leaders across the breadth of health and care, we are reinforcing NIHR’s commitment to supporting excellence wherever it is found and ensuring that research leadership mirrors the communities and professions it serves.

“Senior Investigators make a significant impact to the NIHR and the wider research landscape and I look forward to seeing the contributions and impact they make across health and care research.”

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