Clinical Scholar and his research interests lie in health care inequalities, improving equity and accessibility in health care, particularly in relation to the physical healthcare needs of people with mental ill health and learning disabilities. His methodological specialisms lie in arts-based research methods, co-creation and participatory methods.

Clinical academic careers programmes have developed in England and Wales to enable clinical staff outside of medical and dentistrynamely Nurses, Midwives, Allied Health Professionals, Pharmacists and Healthcare Scientists (NMAHPPS) to develop their academic and research skills alongside clinical practice. These schemes have complemented preexisting national clinical academic careers pathways for Nurses, Midwives and Allied Health Professions (NMAHPs). Multi-professional case studies from the West Midlands and Wales are used to illustrate the benefits of clinical academic careers for individuals at junior career (pre-doctoral) level. The following case studies will be included: Jed Jerwood, an art psychotherapist, who is aspiring to be an evidence-based practitioner; Jonathan Price, a physiotherapist, who is developing support networks and navigating the system; and Siân Thomas, a nurse, who is developing opportunities to influence local and national practice. The benefits of clinical academic careers and the support from the English and Welsh programmes can be demonstrated in individuals at junior career level. A range of benefits are described including the emergence of autonomous evidence-based practitioners, developing their networks and collaborations, along with a plan for the future.