2023 was an exciting time for the UKCRC Registered CTU Network with changes in the research environment and opportunities to build on learning from the pandemic and transform the design and delivery of trials. There were also changes within the Network Secretariat.
In the spring, Prof Julia Brown announced that she had taken the difficult decision to stand down as Network Director. She was instrumental in the development of the Network and had led it from its inception. We are very grateful for her leadership over the previous 16 years.
Fortunately, we were able to recruit an excellent replacement in Prof Kerry Hood. Kerry is currently Dean of Research & Innovation for the College of Biomedical & Life Sciences at Cardiff University and has played a vital role with the Network since 2007, firstly as Director of the South East Wales Trials Unit and then the Centre for Trials Research.
Our various Operations and Task & Finish Groups met 60 times during the year to work on activities that are of benefit to CTUs and CTU staff across the Network. This included producing guidance, webinars, training events and, of course, the 8 national meetings we held for key staff groups including CTU Directors, statisticians, and trial monitors.
During the year, over 750 delegates from across the Network took part in face-to-face or online events. These included webinars on subjects as diverse as the Better Methods, Better Research funding programme and different approaches to data management. There were also quarterly ‘monitoring clinics’ which provided an opportunity for staff with a responsibility for trial monitoring to share experiences, solutions, and best practice.
There were more than 2000 views and downloads of our guidance and training materials. These include the training for staff undertaking clinical trial monitoring, as well as information to support units preparing to undergo MHRA inspection. All outputs can be viewed here.
