Humans of Clinical Academia

About Humans of Clinical Academia

Humans of Clinical Academia explores the lives and careers of clinicians who do research. Moving between the worlds of healthcare and academia is challenging, but the rewards can be huge! Here we delve into the personal experiences of those who have walked this road, asking about their early lives, motivations, highlights and turning points. All episodes are hosted by Dr Judith Johnson, academic clinical psychologist. Through this series, she is joined by nurses, doctors and other healthcare professionals from the full spectrum of healthcare.

Publisher

Manchester Catalys

Category

business

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

25 Feb 2025

Latest episode

23 Sept 2026

Latest episodes

14 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   23 Sept 2026

   Prof Gill Harrison | From Sonography to Research, Leadership & Coaching

   What is it really like to build a career that combines clinical practice, education, research and professional leadership?In this episode of Humans of Clinical Academia, we meet Professor Gill Harrison, a radiographer and sonographer whose career spans almost 35 years across clinical practice, education and research.Gill has been at the forefront of sonography in the UK, from leading ultrasound programmes at City, University of London to shaping national and international policy through her work as Professional Officer for Ultrasound at the Society and College of Radiographers.Her research has explored some of the most important, and often overlooked, aspects of sonography: from workforce shortages and training, to work-related musculoskeletal disorders and the emotional challenges of delivering unexpected news during obstetric ultrasound scans.In this conversation, Gill shares the story behind her career, what first drew her towards radiography and ultrasound, and how research became an important part of her professional identity.We explore:• The human and emotional side of ultrasound and what happens when a sonographer has to deliver unexpected news• Why Gill became interested in researching the physical and emotional demands of sonography• Her work around workforce development, education and the future of the sonographic profession• The importance of coaching, leadership and supporting the next generation of healthcare professionals• The reality of combining clinical practice, research, education and professional leadership• Some of the toughest and most fulfilling moments of Gill's career• Why so many healthcare professionals are interested in research, but never take that first step• Practical advice for sonographers and allied health professionals who are curious about research but don't know where to beginGill also shares one piece of advice she would give to herself at the very beginning of her career.Humans of Clinical Academia is a Manchester Catalys podcast exploring the real stories behind clinical academic careers. Through honest conversations with nurses, midwives, allied health professionals and other healthcare professionals involved in research, we're showing that there is no single route into clinical academia, and that research really is for everyone.🎧 Interested in getting started with research?Gill also features in another Manchester Catalys podcast episode, Clinical Academia: Getting Started, where she discusses the barriers that can prevent clinicians from moving into research and shares practical advice for taking that first step.Manchester Catalys is a partnership between Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust and The University of Manchester, supporting nurses, midwives, allied health professionals, healthcare scientists, pharmacists, social workers and clinical psychologists to explore and develop research careers.📩 Find out more or get in touch: catalys@manchester.ac.uk#HumansOfClinicalAcademia (https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/humansofclinicalacademia) #ManchesterCatalys (https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/manchestercatalys) #ClinicalAcademia (https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/clinicalacademia) #Sonography (https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/sonography) #Radiography (https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/radiography) #HealthcareResearch (https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/healthcareresearch) #AHPResearch (https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/ahpresearch) #ResearchIsForEveryone (https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/researchisforeveryone)

2. 

   2 Sept 2026

   Prof Gail Mountain | Occupational Therapy, technology and the future of healthcare

   What does it take to build a career in clinical academia, and what happens when your research challenges the way we think about care? 🎙️ In this episode of Humans of Clinical Academia, we’re joined by Professor Gail Mountain, whose career has spanned occupational therapy, research and innovation, with a particular focus on how technology and digital approaches can support people to live well. Gail shares her journey from occupational therapist to internationally recognised researcher, reflecting on the experiences that shaped her research interests, the challenges of building a clinical academic career, and the importance of keeping the people and communities you work with at the heart of research. We explore what it means to ask questions that matter, navigate change within healthcare, and stay connected to your clinical roots while developing a career in research. 🎧 Listen to the full episode and hear Gail’s story of clinical academia, research and the moments that shaped her career. Follow Manchester Catalys for more stories, insights and inspiration from the world of clinical academia. #HumansOfClinicalAcademia #ClinicalAcademia #OccupationalTherapy #OTResearch #ClinicalAcademic #NHSResearch #ManchesterCatalys

3. 

   21 Jul 2026

   Professor Soo Downe | Midwifery, compassion and challenging the system

   This episode features Professor Soo Downe OBE, whose research has reshaped how we think about pregnancy and birth. For decades Soo has asked what good maternity care actually looks like, championing physiological birth, compassion and kindness as clinical concerns rather than soft extras, and questioning intervention that does not serve women and families. Alongside a large body of research spanning ethnography, trials and international survey work, she has helped shape global thinking on maternity care through her work at the University of Central Lancashire and beyond. Join us as we trace Soo's path from clinical midwife to internationally recognised researcher, discussing where her commitment to women's experiences came from, what it has cost to challenge the medicalisation of childbirth, and the moments when system change felt out of reach. Soo also shares candid reflections on staying true to your values inside academia, what clinicians most often misunderstand about research, and why midwifery needs more of its own people asking the questions.

4. 

   29 Jun 2026

   New Podcast Series for Healthcare Professionals Interested in Research

   Our host, Dr Judith Johnson, introduces a new Manchester Catalys Podcast series - Clinical Academia: Getting Started. Listen to find our what to expect from this news series and how it could benefit your research career!

5. 

   24 Jun 2026

   Professor Dawn Edge

   This episode features Professor Dawn Edge, whose research has shone a light on some of healthcare's most persistent inequalities. Focusing on mental health, ethnicity, and underserved communities, Dawn has spent her career investigating why some groups experience poorer health outcomes and what can be done to change this. Join us as we explore Dawn's journey from clinician to internationally recognised researcher, discussing the experiences that shaped her career, the challenges she has faced along the way, and her determination to pursue research that makes a meaningful difference to people's lives. Along the way, Dawn shares valuable insights for aspiring clinical academics, reflecting on resilience, finding your research passion, and staying committed to the questions that matter most.

6. 

   20 May 2025

   Seven secrets of a successful clinical academic career

   In this finale episode of Humans of Clinical Academia,Judith Johnson is joined by co-host Steve Rogers to reflect on the fascinating interviews from Season 1. Drawing from the candid conversations Judith has had with leading clinical academics throughout the season, they unpack sevensecrets that underpin successful clinical academic careers—from embracing fear to building meaningful teams. Join them as they explore how these principles can help anyone balancing the demands of healthcare practice with researchambitions.

7. 

   13 May 2025

   Professor Dame Nicky Cullum

   This episode features Professor Dame Nicky Cullum, whose ground-breaking research has revolutionized wound care. With over 260 published papers, Nicky investigates which treatments truly work, from maggot therapy to advanceddressings—identifying options that are effective, patient-friendly, and cost-efficient. Her unique perspective combines nursing practice with academic training in pharmacology, bringing scientific rigor to a field where biology,medicine, and technology intersect. Join us as we trace Nicky's path from 1960s Leeds to receiving her Damehood, exploring her early transition to research, her influential Cochrane work, and her belief that "crushing disappointments can lead to the best opportunities." We'll also uncover her writing process, offering valuable insights for aspiring clinical academics who find this aspect of research particularly daunting.

8. 

   7 May 2025

   Professor Rachel Elliott

   This episode features Professor Rachel Elliott, who bridges pharmacy and economics to transform healthcare spending. Is the £1.2 trillion global pharmaceutical budget being used wisely? As one of the UK's first pharmacists trained in health economics, Rachel evaluates whether expensive treatments and technologies truly deliver value. With over 150 published papers and £58 million in research funding, she ensures healthcare financial decisions are evidence-based rather than assumption-driven. Join us to explore Rachel'sjourney from ICU pharmacy specialist to pioneering health economist, how she faced criticism that she "no longer cared for patients," her guidance for clinicians entering research, and her insights from chairing NIHR fellowship awards while navigating both clinical and academic worlds.

9. 

   30 Apr 2025

   Professor Karina Lovell

   This episode features Professor Karina Lovell, whose ground-breaking research has challenged fundamental assumptions about psychological therapy. Moving beyond the traditional model of weekly face-to-face sessions, Karina has proven that effective therapy can be delivered through phone calls, online platforms, and even without therapists—sometimes focusing instead on physical activity or building social connections. With over 270 published papers, her influential work has transformed mental health treatment globally. Join us as we explore Karina's journey from mental health nurse to pioneering researcher, discussing her experiences working internationally in Kenya and Pakistan and her remarkable success in securing research funding.

10. 

    22 Apr 2025

    Professor Katherine Berry

    This episode features Professor Katherine Berry, whose research bridges a key debate in mental health: are psychological conditions biological or social in origin? Katherine’s breakthrough research shows that our early relationships with caregivers—our "attachment"—plays a role in schizophrenia symptoms later in life. With over 200 published papers, she's helped change how we understand mental health by showing the importance of childhood bonds alongside biological factors. Join us to explore Katherine’s research, how she got into academia, and how she has overcome the challenges she’s faced along the way.

11. 

    1 Apr 2025

    Professor Frank Bowling

    Professor Frank Bowling has dedicated his life to providing healthcare across poverty-stricken and war-torn regions worldwide. In this episode, Frank shares his remarkable journey from beginning as a podiatrist to becoming aspecialized podiatric surgeon with four doctorate degrees. He also offers personal insights into his early life and experiences with neurodivergence.

12. 

    19 Mar 2025

    Professor Tony Redmond

    Professor Tony Redmond, an emergency physician, has delivered humanitarian care in crisis zones includingthe Bosnian war, the Haitian earthquake, and the Russia-Ukraine conflict. In this podcast, Tony reflects on how his childhood shaped his humanitarian path, the crucial role research has played throughout his clinical academic career,and his enduring preference for instant coffee over fresh-pressed varieties. Prof Redmond founded and is now an ambassador for www.uk-med.org (https://eur01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.uk-med.org%2F&data=05%7C02%7CUmang.Sinha%40mft.nhs.uk%7C84286e413bbd409dd57308dd670a0e38%7Cddc77078e8034eeb80cadd03ba7459c4%7C0%7C0%7C638780015083596181%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=s08AUaveWO82KOesrLy0It7KFv9QE3Bxi6v%2Foa3f1RA%3D&reserved=0). You can support his international humanitarian work by supporting UK-med.

13. 

    5 Mar 2025

    Professor Dawn Dowding

    Prof Dawn Dowding is an academic nurse and leading expert in clinical decision making and digital health. Dawn has drawn on her training in nursing and psychology to develop cutting-edge research at the forefront of technology. Dawn has worked in the UK and the US, including both California and New York. Here she talks about her experiences stateside, makes recommendations for engaging policy makers and gives tips on overcoming writer’s block.

14. 

    25 Feb 2025

    Professor John Baker

    Prof John Baker is a mental health nurse who has spent his career working to improve inpatient mental health wards. He is passionate about his work and has delivered over £8m of funded research. In this episode, we explore John's reasons for getting into mental health nursing, how he manages work-life balance and his strategies for beating imposter syndrome.

Podcast Authority Score: 14 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

28

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

0

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Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.