PLENARY SESSION 2: Developing and Leading a High Impact Clinical Research Centre: Strategies for Success

Description/Overview: A research centre is comprised of a number of structures and processes that together facilitate high quality research and development of research capacity, which may involve research training, mentorship and other activities. First, this presentation be aimed at early career researchers and will focus on clinical/academic research teams and how they can work together to achieve the desired research outcomes. While there are a number of models that can be used, a mutual benefit model is advocated to promote these collaborations. In this model, both parties value the research endeavour and bring their unique strengths to the process. However, it is important to consider a number of professional, personal and practical consideration, which are detailed in this presentation. Next, a framework for research collaboration is described. This model has three dimensions: 1) contextual factors including institutional support, resources and the national and institutional climates; 2) the lifecycle of the research from initiation to clarification to implementation and completion; and 3) the interpersonal processes such as trust and communication. Careful and deliberate consideration of these dimensions may help to ensure the research activity has benefits for all parties. Once hospital/academic research partnerships have been developed, groups of researchers can organise under the umbrella of a research centre. The second part of this presentation is aimed at more experienced research leaders who are developing, leading or participating in research centres. Coen and colleague’s (2010) Relational Model for Research Centre Infrastructure will be described. Components of this model include structures, processes and outcomes. Then, using a case study approach, a description of the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) funded Centre of Research Excellence (CRE) in Nursing is presented. This CRE had its beginnings in strong clinical/academic research collaborations, and the development of a faculty level university- funded research centre. This centre then grew in numbers and outputs, and was designated a university level research centre four years later. Four years after that, the first CRE in nursing ever funded by the NHMRC was awarded to members from the acute and critical care stream of the university funded research centre. The strategies used to undertake and disseminate high quality research, further develop research clinical/academic collaborations and build research capacity, especially early career researchers will be discussed. Finally, tips for research centre directors and team members will be given.