Events and training

The Joint Research Office is running a series of research training webinars and drop-in sessions across 2024.

Webinars are open to all staff, including new investigators, staff considering getting started in research, and established investigators looking to refresh their knowledge and skills.

The JRO is open running drop-in sessions where existing researchers can get one-to-one guidance on different areas of research management.

Details of all sessions are outlined in the tables below.

Webinars

Some webinars require you to register using a form.

Webinar list (click to view all dates)

Date and Time	Session	Summary
21 March 2024 10am to 12.30pm	Intro to PPI: What can PPI do for you?	Learn what patient and public involvement is all about, and how it can help your research. Pick up some of the basics of incorporating patient involvement into your work.
11 April 2024 10am to 12.30pm	How to fill in the PPI section of a grant form and write a lay summary	Learn what funders are looking for, and at what stage of applying for funding you should be seeking patient input.
18 April 2024 10am to 12.30pm	How to find patient partners and keep them involved	Learn where to go to find people who will get involved, and how to help them remain engaged.
25 April 2024 2pm to 4.30pm	Facillitation: How to get the most out of your PPI activities	This session is for anyone looking to run workshops of focus groups. Learn how to get the most out of your meetings.
26 April 2024 10am to 12pm	GCP Training Refresher	Good Clinical Practice - refersher session. This 2.15hr session is designed for researchers who have previously completed the full GCP course. UCLH and UCL staff only.
2 May 2024 2pm to 4.30pm	How to do PPI: Focus groups and more	The session examines PPI methods in depth, including cost, how to choose the right method for your project, and with a particular look at how to run a PPI focus group.
3 May 2024 12pm to 1pm	How do I capture recruitment to studies taking place at UCLH? Register.	An overview of the systems and processes used to capture recruitment of research participants at UCLH, including the flow of information across the various systems (Epic, EDGE, CPMS, NIHR Open Data Platform). The seminar is suited to staff who recruit participants into research studies at UCLH, or who report on this information.
16 May 2024 2pm to 3pm	Anonymisation, pseudonymisation, identification – what you need to know Register.	This seminar will provide attendees with an overview of the differences between anonymisation and pseudonimisation of data. The session is open to staff at UCL and UCLH involved in managing, coordinating and delivering clinical research studies.
6 June 2024 12pm to 1pm	Research Approvals: submitting your study for UCLH capacity and capability approvals Register.	This session provides attendees with the procedure and requirements for gaining approval to conduct clinical research studies at UCLH. This approval orocess is commonly known as "capacity and capability". The session is suitable for researchers, coordinators, managers and delivery staff who are involved with the set-up and delivery of studies at UCLH.
11 to 14 June 2024	Practical Statistics for Medical Research (PSMR) course Register.	Medical statistics plays an essential role in all stages of a quantitative health care research project from design through to analysis and interpretation. This intensive course covers the essential principles and methods required. Emphasis is on study design, appropriate analysis, and interpretation of results. The underlying concepts of statistical analysis as well as basic and some more advanced analysis techniques are covered. Sessions include lectures and computer practicals. The course has been running for more than 30 years and is taught by experienced medical statisticians. No prior knowledge is required.
20 June 2024 12pm to 1pm	Site File Maintenance Register.	To develop an understanding of the essential documents involved in research studies and how these are maintained throughout the study lifecycle. To understand the key areas of responsibility when managing essential documents.
27 June 2024 12pm to 1pm	What are clinical trials? (Clinical Trials Regulations and requirements) Register.	This session will be delivered by Ozlem Sherif: Sponsor Regulatory Advisor & Andrew Tunstell: Sponsor Regulatory Advisor. The seminar will provide attendees with an overview of Clinical Trials of Medicinal Products (CTIMPs) and the regulations which govern them within Clinical Trials. The seminar is open to all at UCLH and UCL who wish to gain a foundation understanding of CTIMPs.
17 July 2024 12pm to 1pm	Conducting clinical research studies: What are SAEs, SUSARs and Research Incidents? Register.	This seminar will provide attendees with an overview of safety and incident reporting requirements for Sponsors and Investigator Sites for all types of interventional studies (CTIMPs, non-CTIMPs and Medical Device studies).
26 July 2024 12pm to 1pm	Transition from Private to NHS Research. Career pathway for Research nurses. Delivering & educating non-researchers Register.	These topics provide an overview of the oppurtunities and challenges in clinical research, particularly within the context of transitioning between different settings. To offer valuable insights for both seasoned professionals and individuals embarking on their nursing research careers.
14 August 2024 12pm to 1pm	National Contract Value Review (NCVR) and iCT- New process Register.	A short presentation on NCVR (National contract value Review),a new process that enables Sponsor, NHS Trusts and NIHR to work together to speed up the costing and contracting activities for commercial studies.
25 September 2024 12pm to 1pm	Research Approvals: submitting your study for UCL and UCLH sponsorship review (NHS research, non-drug studies) Register.	This session willl provide attendees with the steps required to obtain regulatory sponsorship for studies which are considered as clinical trials (drug studies) or medical devices (which require MHRA authorisation). The procedure for all other studies is covered in a separate session. The session is suitable for resarchers, coordinstors, managers and delivery staff who are involved in submitting studies to NHS ethics and regulatory committees. This session is open to UCL and UCLH staff only
2 October 2024 1pm to 2pm	Research Approvals: submitting your study for UCL sponsorship review (NHS research, drug studies) Register.	This session willl provide attendees with the steps required to obtain regulatory sponsorship for clinical research studies. This session will cover the procedures for sponsorship through UCL and UCLH for all study types with the exception of clinical trials (drug studies) or medical devices (which require MHRA authorisation). The procedure for drug and device studies is covered in a separate session. The session is suitable for resarchers, coordinstors, managers and delivery staff who are involved in submitting studies to NHS ethics and regulatory committees. This session is open to UCL and UCLH staff only.
10 October 2024 12pm to 1pm	Research Approvals: submitting your study for UCLH capacity and capability approvals Register.	This session provides attendees with the procedure and requirements for gaining approval to conduct clinical research studies at UCLH. This approval process is commonly known as "capacity and capability". The session is suitable for researchers, coordinators, managers and delivery staff who are involved with the set-up and delivery of studies at UCLH.
15 October 2024 12pm to 1pm	What is AcoRD and SoECAT? How to complete on line SoECAT for Research funding application Register.	A review of AcoRD (Attributing the costs of health and social care Research and Development) and SoECAT ( Schedule of Events Cost Attribution Tool) and how to complete on line SoECAT for funding application
22 October 2024 12pm to 1pm	Statistical Considerations when sponsoring clinical research studies Register.	In this webinar the Biostatistics Group will present what they are looking for when conducting statistical review for study sponsorship. It will also be relevant to researchers preparing funding applications or writing study protocols. We will cover key methodological aspects of a successful application, such as aligning the research objectives with study design, outcomes, study size and analysis.
12 November 2024 12pm to 1pm	How to submit an amendment for your hosted or sponsored study Register.
28 November 2024 12pm to 1pm	Preparing for regulatory and sponsor audits and inspections (NHS sites) Register.	Preparing for inspection at site

Date and Time

Session

Summary

21 March 2024

10am to 12.30pm

Intro to PPI: What can PPI do for you?

Learn what patient and public involvement is all about, and how it can help your research. Pick up some of the basics of incorporating patient involvement into your work.

11 April 2024

10am to 12.30pm

How to fill in the PPI section of a grant form and write a lay summary

Learn what funders are looking for, and at what stage of applying for funding you should be seeking patient input.

18 April 2024

10am to 12.30pm

How to find patient partners and keep them involved

Learn where to go to find people who will get involved, and how to help them remain engaged.

25 April 2024

2pm to 4.30pm

Facillitation: How to get the most out of your PPI activities

This session is for anyone looking to run workshops of focus groups. Learn how to get the most out of your meetings.

26 April 2024

10am to 12pm

GCP Training Refresher

Good Clinical Practice - refersher session. This 2.15hr session is designed for researchers who have previously completed the full GCP course. UCLH and UCL staff only.

2 May 2024

2pm to 4.30pm

How to do PPI: Focus groups and more

The session examines PPI methods in depth, including cost, how to choose the right method for your project, and with a particular look at how to run a PPI focus group.

3 May 2024

12pm to 1pm

How do I capture recruitment to studies taking place at UCLH?

An overview of the systems and processes used to capture recruitment of research participants at UCLH, including the flow of information across the various systems (Epic, EDGE, CPMS, NIHR Open Data Platform). The seminar is suited to staff who recruit participants into research studies at UCLH, or who report on this information.

16 May 2024

2pm to 3pm

Anonymisation, pseudonymisation, identification – what you need to know

This seminar will provide attendees with an overview of the differences between anonymisation and pseudonimisation of data. The session is open to staff at UCL and UCLH involved in managing, coordinating and delivering clinical research studies.

6 June 2024

12pm to 1pm

Research Approvals: submitting your study for UCLH capacity and capability approvals

This session provides attendees with the procedure and requirements for gaining approval to conduct clinical research studies at UCLH. This approval orocess is commonly known as "capacity and capability". The session is suitable for researchers, coordinators, managers and delivery staff who are involved with the set-up and delivery of studies at UCLH.

11 to 14 June 2024

Practical Statistics for Medical Research (PSMR) course

Medical statistics plays an essential role in all stages of a quantitative health care research project from design through to analysis and interpretation. This intensive course covers the essential principles and methods required. Emphasis is on study design, appropriate analysis, and interpretation of results. The underlying concepts of statistical analysis as well as basic and some more advanced analysis techniques are covered. Sessions include lectures and computer practicals. The course has been running for more than 30 years and is taught by experienced medical statisticians. No prior knowledge is required.

20 June 2024

12pm to 1pm

Site File Maintenance

To develop an understanding of the essential documents involved in research studies and how these are maintained throughout the study lifecycle. To understand the key areas of responsibility when managing essential documents.

27 June 2024

12pm to 1pm

What are clinical trials? (Clinical Trials Regulations and requirements)

This session will be delivered by Ozlem Sherif: Sponsor Regulatory Advisor & Andrew Tunstell: Sponsor Regulatory Advisor. The seminar will provide attendees with an overview of Clinical Trials of Medicinal Products (CTIMPs) and the regulations which govern them within Clinical Trials. The seminar is open to all at UCLH and UCL who wish to gain a foundation understanding of CTIMPs.

17 July 2024

12pm to 1pm

Conducting clinical research studies: What are SAEs, SUSARs and Research Incidents?

This seminar will provide attendees with an overview of safety and incident reporting requirements for Sponsors and Investigator Sites for all types of interventional studies (CTIMPs, non-CTIMPs and Medical Device studies).

26 July 2024

12pm to 1pm

Transition from Private to NHS Research. Career pathway for Research nurses. Delivering & educating non-researchers

These topics provide an overview of the oppurtunities and challenges in clinical research, particularly within the context of transitioning between different settings. To offer valuable insights for both seasoned professionals and individuals embarking on their nursing research careers.

14 August 2024

12pm to 1pm

National Contract Value Review (NCVR) and iCT- New process

A short presentation on NCVR (National contract value Review),a new process that enables Sponsor, NHS Trusts and NIHR to work together to speed up the costing and contracting activities for commercial studies.

25 September 2024

12pm to 1pm

Research Approvals: submitting your study for UCL and UCLH sponsorship review (NHS research, non-drug studies)

This session willl provide attendees with the steps required to obtain regulatory sponsorship for studies which are considered as clinical trials (drug studies) or medical devices (which require MHRA authorisation). The procedure for all other studies is covered in a separate session. The session is suitable for resarchers, coordinstors, managers and delivery staff who are involved in submitting studies to NHS ethics and regulatory committees. This session is open to UCL and UCLH staff only

2 October 2024

1pm to 2pm

Research Approvals: submitting your study for UCL sponsorship review (NHS research, drug studies)

This session willl provide attendees with the steps required to obtain regulatory sponsorship for clinical research studies. This session will cover the procedures for sponsorship through UCL and UCLH for all study types with the exception of clinical trials (drug studies) or medical devices (which require MHRA authorisation). The procedure for drug and device studies is covered in a separate session. The session is suitable for resarchers, coordinstors, managers and delivery staff who are involved in submitting studies to NHS ethics and regulatory committees. This session is open to UCL and UCLH staff only.

10 October 2024

12pm to 1pm

Research Approvals: submitting your study for UCLH capacity and capability approvals

This session provides attendees with the procedure and requirements for gaining approval to conduct clinical research studies at UCLH. This approval process is commonly known as "capacity and capability". The session is suitable for researchers, coordinators, managers and delivery staff who are involved with the set-up and delivery of studies at UCLH.

15 October 2024

12pm to 1pm

What is AcoRD and SoECAT? How to complete on line SoECAT for Research funding application

A review of AcoRD (Attributing the costs of health and social care Research and Development) and SoECAT ( Schedule of Events Cost Attribution Tool) and how to complete on line SoECAT for funding application

22 October 2024

12pm to 1pm

Statistical Considerations when sponsoring clinical research studies

In this webinar the Biostatistics Group will present what they are looking for when conducting statistical review for study sponsorship. It will also be relevant to researchers preparing funding applications or writing study protocols. We will cover key methodological aspects of a successful application, such as aligning the research objectives with study design, outcomes, study size and analysis.

12 November 2024

12pm to 1pm

How to submit an amendment for your hosted or sponsored study

28 November 2024

12pm to 1pm

Preparing for regulatory and sponsor audits and inspections (NHS sites)

Preparing for inspection at site

Drop-in sessions

Amendments drop in sessions are for researchers who have submitted or plan to submit a study amendment to the JRO to approval. There are 2 drop-in sessions which will each run on various dates throughout the year. One drop-in session is for amendments to studies which are sponsored by UCLH or UCL. The other drop-in session is for amendments to studies where UCLH is a site in the study but not the sponsor. Please come to the session which applies to you. Depending on the complexity of the amendment required, researchers may be able to receive approval on the same or next day.

To register for a drop-in session, contact: uclh.jro-communications@nhs.net.

Drop-in sessions list (click to view all dates)

Date	Session
4 April 2024 10am to 12pm	Amendments drop-in session (UCLH or UCL sponsored studies, non-Ctimp)
5 June 2024 10am to 12pm	Amendments drop-in session (UCLH host approvals)
1 May 2024 10am to 12pm	Amendments drop-in session (UCLH host approvals)
2 May 2024 10am to 12pm	Amendments drop-in session (UCLH or UCL sponsored studies, non-Ctimp)
6 June 2024 10am to 12pm	Amendments drop-in session (UCLH or UCL sponsored studies, non-Ctimp)
3 July 2024 10am to 12pm	Amendments drop-in session (UCLH host approvals)
4 July 2024 10am to 12pm	Amendments drop-in session (UCLH or UCL sponsored studies, non-Ctimp)
7 August 2024 10am to 12pm	Amendments drop-in session (UCLH host approvals)
8 August 2024 10am to 12pm	Amendments drop-in session (UCLH or UCL sponsored studies, non-Ctimp)
4 September June 2024 10am to 12pm	Amendments drop-in session (UCLH host approvals)
5 September 2024 10am to 12pm	Amendments drop-in session (UCLH or UCL sponsored studies, non-Ctimp)
12 September 2024 12pm	National Contract Value Review(NCVR)and SoECAT (Schedule of Events Cost attribution Tool) drop-in session.
2 October 2024 10am to 12pm	Amendments drop-in session (UCLH host approvals)
3 October 2024 10am to 12pm	Amendments drop-in session (UCLH or UCL sponsored studies, non-Ctimp)
6 November 2024 10am to 12pm	Amendments drop-in session (UCLH host approvals)
7 November 2024 10am to 12pm	Amendments drop-in session (UCLH or UCL sponsored studies, non-Ctimp)
4 December 2024 10am to 12pm	Amendments drop-in session (UCLH host approvals)
5 December 2024 10am to 12pm	Amendments drop-in session (UCLH or UCL sponsored studies, non-Ctimp)
12 December 2024 12pm	National Contract Value Review(NCVR)and SoECAT (Schedule of Events Cost attribution Tool) drop-in session.

Additional Training Resources

Institute of Clinical Research (ICR)
Health Research Authority (HRA) e-learning modules
NIHR Learn provides a range of resources to develop your knowledge of clinical research and support
The ‘Improving Healthcare through Clinical Research’ Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) is a four week online course that is available free of charge to anyone wanting to understand more about clinical research.

For any further queries, please contact the JRO course administrators via: jro-communications@nhs.net.