The promotion of an applied health research expert at Robert Gordon University (RGU) to a newly created Clinical Professor role with NHS Grampian will see the two organisations collaborate more closely on research and knowledge exchange activities, to the benefit of patients and the wider community.
Dr Kay Cooper, whose innovative and interdisciplinary back pain research has seen her work with colleagues from across Europe, has been named Allied Health Professions (AHP) Clinical Professor at RGU’s School of Health Science, having held several teaching and research positions in the School in recent years.
The role is jointly funded by RGU and NHS Grampian, in the latest example of the university’s close engagement with industry and public sector organisations, which serves to both keep its educational programmes of the highest quality and leads to increased mutual collaboration.
In her new role, Kay will lead AHP research across both institutions, facilitating the development of research staff and the capacity for knowledge transfer.
She will also work to provide joint leadership for the recently established North of Scotland Centre for Applied Nursing, Midwifery and Allied Health Research (NoSCAR).
Following her appointment, Kay said: “I am really excited by this opportunity to work across both organisations, to further develop our existing networks and to create new collaborative partnerships.
“My own research has always benefitted from working closely with clinical colleagues and I hope that this more formal link between clinical and academic partners will lead to increased and innovative knowledge exchange activities, which will directly benefit the community.”
Susan Carr, NHS Grampian director of Allied Health Professionals said: "I am delighted by Kay's appointment. This post will play a key role in providing strategic leadership for research and development of Allied Health Professional staff to increase the capacity and capability for research and knowledge transfer between the two partners.
"Kay's credentials as both an academic and a physiotherapist are impeccable and I know she will do a superb job."
