As part of our Leadership in Research blog series, Jonathan Massey (Programme Director of Academia at Health Innovation Manchester) and Ben Diette (Academic Partnerships Manager at Health Innovation Manchester) explore the vital role of leadership in academic research and innovation. This series highlights how strong leadership shapes research priorities, fosters collaboration, and drives real-world impact.

Through discussions with influential research leaders across Greater Manchester’s (GM) higher education institutions, we’ve gained valuable insights into the power of vision, mentorship, and interdisciplinary collaboration in advancing health and care research. This blog delves into the key themes that emerged, showcasing how research leadership bridges the gap between academia and practical healthcare needs—ultimately shaping a future of innovation and improved outcomes.

We are fortunate in GM to be home to several world-class universities and research institutions with a strong history of life sciences and healthcare research and education. The strength of collaboration between GM institutions and our health and care system means that we can share talent, knowledge and facilities, to turn scientific discoveries into effective new therapies for the GM population.  

GM universities account for more than 120,000 students, with almost 30,000 in medicine, health and care disciplines. From a research perspective, GM universities have received circa £910m in research grants in biology, medicine and health subjects from 2015-2022. 

Such excellence is only achieved through great leadership, which is why, we focussed this series on this topic. A cornerstone within higher education, leadership helps to set the tone and shape the direction of travel, ensuring universities fulfil their missions of education, research and civic impact. This is a critical role, particularly considering rapid societal and technological advancement. Within health and care in particular, research leaders are playing a pivotal role in bridging the gap between academic and real-world health and care needs, ensuring that research and education remain aligned to meet the needs and trends found within the health and care system. 

We heard from influential research leaders from across four GM higher education partners, learning more about their current roles, research journeys, their visions and areas of focus. Those featured share insights on the importance of setting a vision, the impact of being a positive role model, and what we stand to gain from fostering a positive research environment. The importance of this cannot be overstated, alongside other crucial pillars like attracting funding, promoting interdisciplinary research and fostering a culture to enable groundbreaking research. 

When considering collaboration, we found an emphasis on involving a wide range of collaborators, including strategic industry partners, early on. This was highlighted when we spoke with Prof Andy Trafford, a leading cardiac physiologist and Vice- Dean for Research and Innovation in the Faculty of Biology, Medicine, and Health at The University of Manchester, with high-profile collaborations with Walgreens Boots and Varian Medical Systems and The Christie on proton beam therapy, cited as unique areas of strength for the university. 

As echoed by Prof Penny Cook, Professor of Public Health and previously Interim PVC Research and Enterprise (April-December 2024) at the University of Salford, the importance of nurturing mature relationships with the public and service users, industry and clinicians early on, was shared such as is the case within the university’s leading research centre in Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD), where lived experience helps to share research in meaningful ways and pave the way for further understanding.  

By bringing people on board at the very beginning, the impact of the research can be much greater. As noted by Dr Chathurika Kannagara, Director of Research Quality and Associate Professor in Psychology at the University of Greater Manchester, the impact journey starts when you are designing research studies and in “…this way, your research is directly aligned with the needs and interests of those who will ultimately use it, making it much more likely to have a real-world impact”. We heard from Prof Deborah James, Deputy Pro Vice Chancellor Health and Social Care and Professor of Educational Psychology at Manchester Metropolitan University, on how crucial this is in allowing academic discoveries to translate into tangible benefits for society, particularly in health and social care. Further insights into how impact isn’t always a direct result of specific actions, but often emerging from a network of interactions, highlighted the importance of viewing impact as a learning ecosystem and not something you can tick sequentially.  

Considering rapid technological advancement and the challenges facing both the health and care system, and the Higher Education sector, leaders across GM universities are promoting a strong vision of fostering research and innovation, and collaborative partnerships; one where students, staff and wider society stand to benefit.  

This approach and focus on developing and sustaining strong academic leadership will remain crucial in ensuring universities continue to dynamically impact and facilitate groundbreaking research, build knowledge and ultimately support the health and wellbeing of the people of GM and further afield. 

Read more about Health Innovation Manchester’s academic partnerships, here.