Building Radiography Research Capacity Together

In this blog, Dr Theo Akudjedu reflects on the changing radiography research landscape in the UK and highlights how collective ambition, strategic investment and visible career pathways can strengthen research-led practice across the profession.

Radiography research in the UK is at an important moment of growth. Historically, radiographers have often been central to the delivery of clinical research through imaging, radiotherapy, trial support and patient-facing technical expertise, but less commonly positioned as chief investigators or principal investigators in their own right. I believe that this is changing, and it must continue to change if the profession is to realise its full potential.

The College of Radiographers’ Research Strategy 2021–26 provides a timely and important framework for this change. The strategy aims to embed research across practice and education, raise the impact and profile of radiography research, and expand research capacity. These speak directly to where we are as a profession and where we need to go next.

For me, the most encouraging shift is the growing visibility of radiographers as research leaders, not simply research contributors. We are seeing more radiographers undertaking doctoral study, securing fellowships, leading grant applications and contributing to national research conversations. Our recent open-access article in Radiography drew on the collective NIHR experiences of pre- and post-doctoral radiographers, highlighting fellowships as an important route for developing clinically relevant research, leadership capability and future research leaders.

This matters because radiography research is not an abstract academic exercise. It is directly connected to patient care, service delivery, workforce development and innovation. The current NHS direction of travel, reinforced by strategic themes around moving from hospital to community, analogue to digital, and sickness to prevention, creates a strong platform for radiographers to lead work on imaging pathways, artificial intelligence, workforce transformation, advanced practice, radiotherapy innovation, health inequalities and patient-centred care.

There are also good examples of infrastructure and culture-building within the profession: dedicated doctoral fellowships, pump-priming grants, research advisory structures, open-access dissemination opportunities through Radiography, and initiatives that make radiographer researchers more visible. These are not small developments. They help create confidence, community and momentum.

However, we must be honest that capacity does not grow by aspiration alone. Radiographers need protected time, mentorship, institutional support, clearer clinical-academic pathways, inclusive research cultures and access to funding. We also need to demystify research so that it is seen as part of everyday professional practice, not an activity reserved for a small number of academics.

My hope is that the next phase of radiography research will be more collaborative, more visible and more ambitious. If we continue to invest in people, partnerships and purposeful research, radiographers will not only support evidence-based practice; we will increasingly lead the evidence that shapes the future of imaging and radiotherapy services.