Trainee Research Network

The Ophthalmology Trainee Research Network is a new initiative to support trainees to develop and conduct research in Ophthalmology in Scotland. It is a UK-wide Specialty Group priority, supported by National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) and the Royal College of Ophthalmologists. The aim of the group is to develop more home-grown research and to support the next generation of researchers by providing them with the skills and experience necessary to develop and conduct research.

Scottish Ophthalmology Trainee Research Award

The Ophthalmology group is pleased to announce the 2019 Ophthalmology Trainee Research Award (OTRA), funded in partnership between Santen, the Chief Scientist Office (CSO) and NHS Fife. The OTRA provides funding to support Scottish Ophthalmology Trainees to develop a one-year research project within their post.

The application pack and guidance document can be found below - the closing date for applications is 01 Sep 2019.

Third and Fourth Annual Trainee Research Network Meetings

The third annual Scottish Ophthalmology Trainee Research Network meeting was held on Friday 29th March 2019 at the Princess Alexandra Eye Pavilion, Edinburgh and was well attended. Due to the continued success of these events, a fourth meeting is planned for Thursday 6 June 2019, at the Eye OutPatients, Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.

Informal enquiries can be made to Jacqui Pearson, NRS Portfolio Performance Manager: jacqueline.pearson1@nhs.net.

Inaugural Trainee Research Network meeting

The first all-day Scottish Ophthalmology Trainee Research Network (TRN) meeting took place on 9 December 2015, at the Royal College of Physicians, Edinburgh. It was well attended by over 50 attendees including 25 trainees from across Scotland and regional postgraduate tutors.

The speakers ranged from current researchers both in Edinburgh and Glasgow to potential research facilities with liaison through the Royal College of Ophthalmologists, the British and Scottish Ophthalmic Surveillance Units, the Edinburgh Clinical Academic Training fellowship scheme and Glasgow Caledonian University. Additionally, the wealth of Scottish national data through E-Health and Information Services Division, Scotland were also presented. Finally, global ophthalmology collaborative research projects by trainees were discussed together with the challenges for financial support.

Following discussion at the meeting, please find links and contact details for further information below:

a list of eligible funders
for further information on the British Ophthalmological Surveillance Unit (BOSU) and Scottish Ophthalmological Surveillance Unit (SOSU) contact Barny Foot (barny.foot@rcophth.ac.uk) for general queries or Jacintha Gong (jacinthagong@nhs.net) for trainee specific queries
for information on Global Research Opportunities contact Dr Andrew Blaikie (andrew.blaikie@nhs.net) or Dr Laura Butler (laurabutler1987@gmail.com)
for further details on the Glasgow Caledonian Optometry research collaborations contact Mr Graeme Kennedy (Graeme.Kennedy@gcu.ac.uk) or see the Applied Vision Research page.
for University of Edinburgh ophthalmology research projects in collaboration with ophthalmic trainees contact (heather.ellis@ed.ac.uk)
for more information on Edinburgh Clinical Academic Training (ECAT) see their website or contact Dr Roly Megaw (roly.megaw@nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk) or Professor Baljean Dhillon (baljean.dhillon@ed.ac.uk) or for more information on Trainee Fellowships, in particular, Fellowships abroad, contact Dr Peter Wilson (p.j.wilson@nhs.net)
for further information and advice on electronic NHS research data, contact Mr Alister McNicoll (alister.mcnicoll@borders.scot.nhs.uk) or for research projects that require ISD data retrieval and linkage, contact Mr Roger Black (roger.black@nhs.net)
the results of the trainee survey
a copy of the Trainee Research Network meeting minutes.

We would like to thank Santen for supporting this meeting and for their proposed initiative in supporting an annual research project for Scottish trainees.

Research Areas