Securing the Future of AHP Research: Mapping UK Practitioner-Academic/Clinical-Academic Roles and Sustainability

Securing the Future of AHP Research: Mapping UK Practitioner-Academic/Clinical-Academic Roles and Sustainability | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Research Article Securing the Future of AHP Research: Mapping UK Practitioner-Academic/Clinical-Academic Roles and Sustainability Jennifer Sutton, Gillian Ward, Hazel Roddam This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-6984457/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Published Journal Publication published 27 Nov, 2025 Read the published version in BMC Health Services Research → Version 1 posted 13 You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract Background: Accurate data on allied health professionals (AHPs) securing funded clinical-academic/practitioner-academic roles is limited. To address this knowledge gap, a survey was undertaken to gather data on professional discipline, geographical location and crucial insights into the funding and sustainability of these roles. Methods: A UK wide exploratory cross-sectional survey was carried out. Results: Three hundred and fifty-three AHPs responded from all 14 AHP disciplines. Of the total respondents, 62% supported research delivery, with 59% leading or undertaking single-site clinical/practice-based studies, 50% contributing to multi-site studies, and 18% engaging in commercial research. Among those with a formal joint-funded practitioner-academic role, 74% conducted single-site research, 58% engaged in multi-site studies, and 23% undertook or lead commercial research. Sixteen percent of respondents held a formal joint-funded practitioner-academic role, with most contracts hosted by a practitioner sector/setting (58%) rather than an academic institution (39%). Research time allocation varied, with 50% being the most common proportion (23%). Nearly three-quarters (74%) had affiliations with university AHP education programmes. Among practitioners without formal joint-funded roles, diverse approaches to integrating research were reported, including designated research time within clinical roles (30%), fellowships (20%), and separate contracts for research and practice (17%). Research time dedication ranged widely, with 19% allocating 90% or more to research activities. Forty percent reported affiliations with university schools/departments/units delivering AHP education. Research role funding was primarily from the NIHR, NHS, charitable foundations, and employer-based arrangements, with joint funding models featuring prominently. Employment stability varied, with 52% having permanent contracts, while 35% had fixed-term arrangements. Key operational supports included research leads (58%) and research strategies explicitly inclusive of AHPs (55%). Conclusions: A substantial gap must be addressed to achieve the NHS England workforce target of 1% of clinical/practitioner-academic roles in all disciplines by 2030. Results provide insights into research involvement, the variability in role facilitation, and critical factors influencing sustainability. Recommendations include developing a cohesive strategy to strengthen practitioner-academic roles, ensuring they are recognised, funded and integrated into long-term workforce planning, strengthening organisational career pathways, securing sustainable funding, enhancing workforce stability and retention, policy and lobbying initiatives, and systematic expansion across disciplines. Allied health professions Clinical-Academic Practitioner-Academic Research capacity Research capability building Research culture Workforce development Full Text Additional Declarations No competing interests reported. Supplementary Files SupplementaryfileMappingtheukahppractitioneracademicworkforcesurveyquestions.pdf Cite Share Download PDF Status: Published Journal Publication published 27 Nov, 2025 Read the published version in BMC Health Services Research → Version 1 posted Editorial decision: Revision requested 10 Sep, 2025 Reviews received at journal 22 Aug, 2025 Reviews received at journal 22 Aug, 2025 Reviewers agreed at journal 19 Aug, 2025 Reviewers agreed at journal 12 Aug, 2025 Reviews received at journal 11 Aug, 2025 Reviewers agreed at journal 09 Aug, 2025 Reviewers agreed at journal 08 Aug, 2025 Reviewers invited by journal 08 Aug, 2025 Editor assigned by journal 05 Aug, 2025 Editor invited by journal 21 Jul, 2025 Submission checks completed at journal 18 Jul, 2025 First submitted to journal 18 Jul, 2025 You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. 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Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-6984457","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Research Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":495855825,"identity":"c67c3635-e563-4a64-98c8-b83b9111962c","order_by":0,"name":"Jennifer Sutton","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Jennifer","middleName":"","lastName":"Sutton","suffix":""},{"id":495855827,"identity":"6ec5ef86-753c-4f73-a21e-d55f56c8419a","order_by":1,"name":"Gillian Ward","email":"data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAZAAAAAyAQMAAABI0h/eAAAABlBMVEX///8AAABVwtN+AAAACXBIWXMAAA7EAAAOxAGVKw4bAAAA7UlEQVRIie2RvQrCMBRGbwjEJeBaKfQZIgVRRPsqLUJdOouDg1Koi+jqwzhEArr4sxZ0aJfOTuIkxqJ2inZ0yJk+CId7vxsAjeYPqYZ4wl0ZGAcwLsWDq1QMgcYfpbaUgf5SGEgFXopJSykVqSSjM7DtPj11Vl3LAZwmKPLVCn4utsmgsevb7SDr2RSIzVAUKJV63oUIaHCfmAHn3gwoMVA0VE/JlbtUjhkxm6UVLxLgxHIKFIp6sfzI3lzQVpzh1ozLLkJ2cQ/q+tWFWKe3q7DY0UfxjXetyjRMk8ugp1Te0CJi+PYrGo1GoynDA8NWViMgcnmYAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC","orcid":"","institution":"Royal College of Occupational Therapists","correspondingAuthor":true,"prefix":"","firstName":"Gillian","middleName":"","lastName":"Ward","suffix":""},{"id":495855828,"identity":"099b2644-d8f6-4648-878e-e821903179f2","order_by":2,"name":"Hazel Roddam","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Hazel","middleName":"","lastName":"Roddam","suffix":""}],"badges":[],"createdAt":"2025-06-26 14:38:22","currentVersionCode":1,"declarations":"","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-6984457/v1","doiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-6984457/v1","draftVersion":[],"editorialEvents":[{"content":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-025-13804-4","type":"published","date":"2025-11-27T15:57:53+00:00"}],"editorialNote":"","failedWorkflow":false,"files":[{"id":97178394,"identity":"8137075c-7f3a-4c45-a74a-fd90284c1084","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-12-01 16:09:33","extension":"pdf","order_by":1,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"manuscript-pdf","size":452505,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"AHPClinicalAcademicSurveyFinalwithamendsv2.pdf","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-6984457/v1_covered_0e6612d7-ea00-421b-8b8e-8c49db542b79.pdf"},{"id":88498061,"identity":"af1f66e6-6b85-4104-af73-c83e1b7136be","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-08-07 06:27:45","extension":"pdf","order_by":0,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"supplement","size":666702,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"SupplementaryfileMappingtheukahppractitioneracademicworkforcesurveyquestions.pdf","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-6984457/v1/7449efb3f8cbeaa4cdb26565.pdf"}],"financialInterests":"No competing interests reported.","formattedTitle":"Securing the Future of AHP Research: Mapping UK Practitioner-Academic/Clinical-Academic Roles and Sustainability","fulltext":[],"fulltextSource":"","fullText":"","funders":[],"hasAdminPriorityOnWorkflow":false,"hasManuscriptDocX":false,"hasOptedInToPreprint":true,"hasPassedJournalQc":"","hasAnyPriority":true,"hideJournal":false,"highlight":"","institution":"","isAcceptedByJournal":true,"isAuthorSuppliedPdf":true,"isDeskRejected":"","isHiddenFromSearch":false,"isInQc":false,"isInWorkflow":false,"isPdf":true,"isPdfUpToDate":true,"isWithdrawnOrRetracted":false,"journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"bmc-health-services-research","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"externalIdentity":"bhsr","sideBox":"Learn more about [BMC Health Services Research](http://bmchealthservres.biomedcentral.com/)","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"https://www.editorialmanager.com/BHSR/default.aspx","title":"BMC Health Services Research","twitterHandle":"BMC_series","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":false,"editorialSystem":"em","reportingPortfolio":"BMC Series","inReviewEnabled":true,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true},"keywords":"Allied health professions, Clinical-Academic, Practitioner-Academic, Research capacity, Research capability building, Research culture, Workforce development","lastPublishedDoi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-6984457/v1","lastPublishedDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-6984457/v1","license":{"name":"CC BY 4.0","url":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"},"manuscriptAbstract":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBackground:\u003c/strong\u003e Accurate data on allied health professionals (AHPs) securing funded clinical-academic/practitioner-academic roles is limited. To address this knowledge gap, a survey was undertaken to gather data on professional discipline, geographical location and crucial insights into the funding and sustainability of these roles.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMethods:\u003c/strong\u003e A UK wide exploratory cross-sectional survey was carried out. Results: Three hundred and fifty-three AHPs responded from all 14 AHP disciplines. Of the total respondents, 62% supported research delivery, with 59% leading or undertaking single-site clinical/practice-based studies, 50% contributing to multi-site studies, and 18% engaging in commercial research. Among those with a formal joint-funded practitioner-academic role, 74% conducted single-site research, 58% engaged in multi-site studies, and 23% undertook or lead commercial research.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSixteen percent of respondents held a formal joint-funded practitioner-academic role, with \u0026nbsp;most contracts hosted by a practitioner sector/setting (58%) rather than an academic \u0026nbsp;institution (39%). Research time allocation varied, with 50% being the most common proportion (23%). Nearly three-quarters (74%) had affiliations with university AHP education \u0026nbsp;programmes.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAmong practitioners without formal joint-funded roles, diverse approaches to integrating \u0026nbsp;research were reported, including designated research time within clinical roles (30%), \u0026nbsp;fellowships (20%), and separate contracts for research and practice (17%). Research time \u0026nbsp;dedication ranged widely, with 19% allocating 90% or more to research activities. Forty \u0026nbsp;percent reported affiliations with university schools/departments/units delivering AHP education.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eResearch role funding was primarily from the NIHR, NHS, charitable foundations, and \u0026nbsp;employer-based arrangements, with joint funding models featuring prominently. Employment \u0026nbsp;stability varied, with 52% having permanent contracts, while 35% had fixed-term \u0026nbsp;arrangements. Key operational supports included research leads (58%) and research \u0026nbsp;strategies explicitly inclusive of AHPs (55%). \u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eConclusions:\u003c/strong\u003e A substantial gap must be addressed to achieve the NHS England workforce \u0026nbsp;target of 1% of clinical/practitioner-academic roles in all disciplines by 2030. Results provide insights into research involvement, the variability in role facilitation, and critical factors \u0026nbsp;influencing sustainability. Recommendations include developing a cohesive strategy to \u0026nbsp;strengthen practitioner-academic roles, ensuring they are recognised, funded and integrated \u0026nbsp;into long-term workforce planning, strengthening organisational career pathways, securing sustainable funding, enhancing workforce stability and retention, policy and lobbying \u0026nbsp;initiatives, and systematic expansion across disciplines.\u003c/p\u003e","manuscriptTitle":"Securing the Future of AHP Research: Mapping UK Practitioner-Academic/Clinical-Academic Roles and Sustainability","msid":"","msnumber":"","nonDraftVersions":[{"code":1,"date":"2025-08-07 06:27:40","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-6984457/v1","editorialEvents":[{"type":"communityComments","content":0},{"type":"decision","content":"Revision requested","date":"2025-09-10T10:24:38+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvitedReview","content":"","date":"2025-08-22T11:19:49+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvitedReview","content":"","date":"2025-08-22T05:25:29+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"248072545459754054699525856052895494936","date":"2025-08-19T07:02:45+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"98058412281719236009693597739326355213","date":"2025-08-12T13:12:42+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvitedReview","content":"","date":"2025-08-11T13:54:40+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"60543003762860864579683665804186008851","date":"2025-08-09T22:57:14+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"44943947484169998820655060168806806420","date":"2025-08-08T14:58:52+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewersInvited","content":"","date":"2025-08-08T12:40:45+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorAssigned","content":"","date":"2025-08-05T08:03:48+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvited","content":"","date":"2025-07-21T09:22:15+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"checksComplete","content":"","date":"2025-07-18T14:11:25+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"submitted","content":"BMC Health Services Research","date":"2025-07-18T14:03:06+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""}],"status":"published","journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"bmc-health-services-research","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"externalIdentity":"bhsr","sideBox":"Learn more about [BMC Health Services Research](http://bmchealthservres.biomedcentral.com/)","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"https://www.editorialmanager.com/BHSR/default.aspx","title":"BMC Health Services Research","twitterHandle":"BMC_series","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":false,"editorialSystem":"em","reportingPortfolio":"BMC Series","inReviewEnabled":true,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true}}],"origin":"","ownerIdentity":"4c4850cc-5a57-4936-bc10-3be122f19af2","owner":[],"postedDate":"August 7th, 2025","published":true,"recentEditorialEvents":[],"rejectedJournal":[],"revision":"","amendment":"","status":"published-in-journal","subjectAreas":[],"tags":[],"updatedAt":"2025-12-01T16:02:18+00:00","versionOfRecord":{"articleIdentity":"rs-6984457","link":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-025-13804-4","journal":{"identity":"bmc-health-services-research","isVorOnly":false,"title":"BMC Health Services Research"},"publishedOn":"2025-11-27 15:57:53","publishedOnDateReadable":"November 27th, 2025"},"versionCreatedAt":"2025-08-07 06:27:40","video":"","vorDoi":"10.1186/s12913-025-13804-4","vorDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-025-13804-4","workflowStages":[]},"version":"v1","identity":"rs-6984457","journalConfig":"researchsquare"},"__N_SSP":true},"page":"/article/[identity]/[[...version]]","query":{"redirect":"/article/rs-6984457","identity":"rs-6984457","version":["v1"]},"buildId":"8U1c8b4HqxoKbykW_rLl7","isFallback":false,"isExperimentalCompile":false,"dynamicIds":[84888],"gssp":true,"scriptLoader":[]}