Humans of Clinical Academia

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  • 5.0 (2)
  • CAREERS
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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.

Episodes

  1. Seven secrets of a successful clinical academic career

    20 MAY

    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.

    36 min
  2. Professor Dame Nicky Cullum

    13 MAY

    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.

    49 min
  3. Professor Rachel Elliott

    7 MAY

    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.

    48 min
  4. Professor Karina Lovell

    30 APR

    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.

    41 min
  5. Professor Katherine Berry

    22 APR

    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.

    34 min
  6. Professor Frank Bowling

    1 APR

    Professor Frank Bowling

    This episode featuresProfessor Frank Bowling, MBE, whose extraordinary career spans podiatricsurgery, research, and global humanitarian work. With over 250 publications, 6books, and four doctorates, Frank brings unique perspectives as aneurodivergent healthcare provider specializing in diabetic foot complications.Join us to explore his journey from 1970s Bolton to becoming a respectedsurgeon while holding professorships at five European universities. We'lldiscuss how neurodivergence has shaped his prolific career, his experiencesdelivering healthcare in disaster-stricken areas worldwide—work that earned himan MBE in 2023—and his commitment to balancing research alongside clinical andhumanitarian efforts, offering valuable insights for those aspiring to similarpaths.

    32 min
  7. Professor Tony Redmond

    19 MAR

    Professor Tony Redmond

    This episode featuresProfessor Tony Redmond, whose remarkable journey led from north Manchester tothe frontlines of global crises. With over 150 papers and decades ofhumanitarian service, Tony has delivered emergency care during the Lockerbiebombing, Haitian earthquake, and Bosnian war—where he faced dictator RadovanKaradzic and survived sniper fire. Join us to explore his path from Catholicroots to pioneering emergency medicine and co-founding the Humanitarian and ConflictResponse Institute. We'll discuss his experiences with PTSD, recovering fromdeliberate heavy metal poisoning in the Balkans, and building a field hospitalfor Kurdish refugees after the Gulf War. Tony offers candid insights about thecomplexities of humanitarian medicine and practical advice for healthcareprofessionals drawn to this challenging but rewarding path Prof Redmond founded and is now an ambassador for www.uk-med.org. You can support his international humanitarian work by supporting UK-med.

    53 min
  8. Professor Dawn Dowding

    5 MAR

    Professor Dawn Dowding

    This episode features Professor Dawn Dowding, whose workbridges nursing practice and digital innovation. With 150 published papers anda unique background in both psychology and nursing, Dawn now shapeshealthcare's digital future through her leadership on England's nursinginformatics panels and AI advisory groups. Join us as we trace her journey from1960s Hertfordshire to professorships in both the UK and US, including fiveyears at Columbia University. We'll explore how her research evolved fromstudying clinical decision making to advancing digital health technologies, andgain her practical advice for healthcare professionals intimidated by academicwriting and publishing—insights gained from her impressive international careerspanning both sides of the Atlantic.

    44 min
  9. Professor John Baker

    25 FEB

    Professor John Baker

    This episode features Professor John Baker, whose research is transforming safety in mental healthcare settings. Starting as a nurse in Manchester—where he found himselfresponsible for 20 severely unwell patients—John became determined to improvemental health care delivery. As one of the first mental health nurses awarded aHealth Foundation Fellowship, he pioneered research into medication delivery onacute wards. With over 100 publications and £8 million in funding, John has overcomesignificant barriers in a field where nursing research remains underrepresented.Join us to explore his journey from 1970s Portsmouth to his current work atLeeds University, his creative approach to science communication throughblogging, and his insights on conquering imposter syndrome while building aninfluential academic career.

    27 min
  • 9 Episodes

Ratings & Reviews

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About

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.

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