A New Chapter: Meet Dr Gemma Clunie, Lead Clinical Academic for AHPs

Congratulations: Dr Gemma Clunie appointed Lead Clinical Academic for AHPs

Following her appointment into the role of Lead Clinical Academic for Allied Health Professions earlier this year, we caught up with Dr Gemma Clunie, to hear about her vision, priorities, and hopes for the future of AHP research across ICHT and the wider AHSC.

Gemma, first of all congratulations! Please tell us all about your new role and what your priorities will be over the next few months/years?

I am the new Lead Clinical Academic for Allied Health Professions following Professor Alexander's retirement. I started the role in January 2025 and my initial priority has been to try and get to grips with a brand-new role that is both exciting and challenging in equal measure! A key part of this has been reviewing the priorities within the ICHT NMAHPP Strategic Research Implementation plan.

I have come into post at a time of significant flux in the NHS and this means my short-term priorities are advocating for those AHPs who are already on a clinical academic pathway and ensuring that the research curious continue to have opportunities to learn about research and are supported to access funded opportunities wherever possible.

Longer term, my priorities are to support more AHPs from ICHT and the AHSC involved in research; ensure that AHPs are considered as collaborators and co-applicants on grant funding applications; make the clinical academic career pathway a reality; and ensure that conversations about equality, diversity and inclusion are front and centre of all AHP led research conversations.

What difference do you hope to make and what are you most excited about?

I hope to see an increase in a wider range of AHPs becoming involved in research - this would feel like a real achievement. It won't be easy as I am an SLT by background, and I don't know the challenges radiographers/orthoptists/podiatrists etc may have (yet!) but I would like to make a difference to all the AHP professions. 

I am excited at the opportunity to work more closely with CATO - who are brilliant and have been such a key aspect of my own clinical-academic success, as well as working alongside my NMAHPP clinical academic colleagues to demonstrate to key stakeholders at Imperial College London the value add we can offer to their research ambitions. Finally I would like AHPs to become more engaged in the innovation and industry aspects of the research landscape - I think this kind of collaboration is vital to future-proofing AHP ambitions.

That all sounds like exciting stuff. Are there any challenges you can see in the future?

Yes. The landscape is changing for the NHS and HEIs, and this has implications for all clinical academic staff and research teams. Funding is becoming increasingly competitive, and NHS budgets are under extreme pressure. I think my first year in post is going to require some creative thinking, strategic engagement with stakeholders and robust team work to be able to achieve objectives in the Strategic plan. It may mean progress is slower than it has been, but I am determined to advocate for all AHPs who have an interest in research despite these challenges. 

Lots of work to be done! Will you still be doing some research alongside your new role?

Yes! I hold an NIHR Senior Clinical and Practitioner Award (SCPRA), and an Imperial College London Surgery & Cancer Seedfund Grant at the moment which means I am recruiting to a small pilot study entitled: An investigation of the feasibility, reliability and acceptability of using of ultrasound to assess muscle echogenicity and size in key speech and swallowing tissues before and after radiotherapy in a head and neck cancer population. 

Once I have completed this study, my aim will be to look at grant funding and establishing myself as an independent researcher.  The SCPRA Fellowship is also an exciting opportunity for the Lead Clinical Academic role as there is overlap between the objectives of the fellowship and my job description in terms of building research capacity and capability. This means we have been able to recruit Dr Lina Johansson to work alongside me for 2 days a week, an immediate increase in capacity and an exciting opportunity for both of us to work closely together to improve and expand the AHP clinical academic agenda!

Can people contact you if they have questions or are interested in research?

Of course! I am reachable on email gemmaclunie@nhs.net or g.clunie@imperial.ac.uk as well as via Teams. If you are an AHP and curious about research I would love to talk to you.

Well, we wish you all the best with your new role and can't wait to work alongside you!