Case study: “We are at the cutting edge of making a difference to young people’s lives” – East of England college principal is UK’s first School Research Champion

Dr Catherine Richards, Principal at East Norfolk Sixth Form College, is at the helm of an exciting new collaboration as the UK’s very first School Research Champion.

Schools and colleges play a pivotal role in young people’s health and wellbeing, as it is a time when habits and behaviours can not only form, but also become established.

East Norfolk Sixth Form College in Great Yarmouth offers a diverse curriculum and is the largest provider of A levels in Norfolk. Around 1650 students aged 16 to 19 pass through its doors each year.

Catherine has joined forces with the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Clinical Research Network (CRN) East of England. The CRN provides support, training and funding to health and social care, including schools and colleges to help them get involved in research.

The NIHR is working with Research Champions to work with and engage their communities to help make research more inclusive. By reflecting on individuals’ needs, it is hoped that research will have a positive impact on health outcomes.

Catherine, who was the first in her family to attend university, is passionate about making sure there are “no glass ceilings”. She wants to ensure that all young people, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, are given the opportunity to pursue higher education and well paid jobs.

When Catherine was approached by CRN East of England to get involved in research, she immediately knew it was something that the college needed to do. She said:

“The research is telling us a lot about young people’s attitudes. We want young people to be healthy and empowered, so by taking part in research we can unpick some of the early issues and be at the forefront of putting things into place to help make a difference.”

The college has taken part in studies about low mood, vaping, and obesity. These are some of the issues that are particularly prevalent in Great Yarmouth as an area of deprivation.

The college has also been awarded two grants by the CRN East of England to undertake research themselves. Catherine added:

“Getting students involved in the design and presentation of research means they better understand the implications of research and can help influence the outcomes for people in the future.”

Through Catherine’s role as a School Research Champion, the college also promotes research studies to the schools in the area, which has proved invaluable in recruiting participants and spreading the word about research.

Looking toward the future, Catherine is keen to continue to strengthen and embed a culture of research in the college. She said:

“Taking part in research means we are at the cutting edge of making a difference to young people’s lives, and we need to encourage young people to be healthier, to think about their wellbeing, and to want to be interested in the wellbeing of others. Research enriches their understanding of the wider world and it’s great to be a part of that.”

Kate McCloskey, Lead Community and Care Manager at CRN East of England, said:

“By getting involved in research, with a focus on the health and wellbeing of children and young people, students can learn about different types of research and gain skills and confidence at an early age.

“It has been fantastic working with East Norfolk Sixth Form College, and we are thankful to Catherine for joining us as the UK’s very first School Research Champion. Through this role she is helping to improve the health and wellbeing of young people through research.”

If you’d like to get your school or college involved in research, please email researcheoe@nihr.ac.uk for more information.