Dr Alison Cooke, Assistant Director of Nursing (NMAHP) Research and Innovation and CeNREE Lead

Dr Alison Cooke is the Assistant Director of Nursing (NMAHP), Research and Academic Development and the Lead for the Centre for NMAHP Research and Education Excellence (CeNREE) at University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust.

Alison is passionate about NMAHPs having the opportunity to engage with research. She has been appointed to provide the necessary leadership to ensure alignment of Corporate and Divisional research and academic development for the non-medical clinical workforce. This is to realise the proposed outcomes of the NMAHP Research Strategy through informed development, investment and evaluation of research, innovation, and evidence-based practice. Alison has a remit to increase NMAHP-led research at UHNM and develop a clinical academic career pathway for our non-medical staff. 

Alison is a registered midwife with experience in leading research, research delivery and ethics processes. Alison has been successful with three NIHR personal funding awards, the most recent of which is her appointment as an NIHR Senior Research Leader. She has also been successful with four subsequent grant applications, three as Chief Investigator and one as a Co-Investigator. Alison has led research which has changed midwifery practice.

Alison has a joint appointment as a Senior Lecturer at University of Keele and is also an Honorary Lecturer at The University of Manchester. She is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and an experienced Masters and Doctoral Supervisor. Alison has expertise in a range of methodological approaches including systematic review, meta-synthesis, randomised controlled trials, observational studies, national surveys, mixed methods, and qualitative studies.

Alison will always find time to talk to anyone who wants to engage in research in some way, has a research idea or is considering a clinical academic career.