Cardiff Met researchers awarded over £1 million in Health and Care Research Wales funding
Two academics from Cardiff Metropolitan University have been awarded a total of more than £1 million in research funding in the latest round of Health and Care Research Wales (HCRW) grants - a recognition of the University’s research excellence and growing impact in the health and care sector.
Dr Sam Burr, from the University’s Cardiff School of Sport and Health Sciences, is one of only a few researchers across Wales to receive both a project award and a personal fellowship in this competitive funding round.
Dr Burr receives a £297,653 project award through HRCW’s Integrated Funding Scheme – Arm 2 for a new study, ‘Maximising the Impact of Speech and Language Therapy for children with Speech Sound Disorder Phase 2 (MISLToe_SSD-2)’. This will explore how best to collect and use key information to improve support for children in Wales with speech sound disorder.
She has also been awarded a Health and Care Research Wales Advanced Fellowship worth £473,759 for her personal research programme, ‘PROSPER: Improving Speech Outcomes for Very Preterm Born Children in Wales’. This will support Dr Burr’s ongoing work on speech development in young children, with the potential for long-term benefits for children born prematurely.
Sharon Baker, who has joined Cardiff Met as a Doctoral Fellow and previously completed an MSc in Advanced Practice (Speech & Language Therapy) at the University in 2019, has received a Health and Care Research Wales Doctoral Fellowship award worth £267,720. Currently working at Swansea Bay University Health Board, her research will explore the most effective interventions to support language development in children born with a cleft.
Dr Burr said: “I’m delighted and honoured to lead the MISLToe_SSD and PROSPER studies. This crucial funding from HCRW will catalyse collaborations with passionate and inspirational families, clinicians and academics to progress the health research agenda on improving outcomes for children with speech sound disorder in Wales.”
Sharon Baker said:” I’m honoured to receive this funding award. The support will enable me to explore language development in children born with a cleft palate, an area that is under researched but has significant potential for improving children’s lifelong outcomes. The award will strengthen Cardiff Met’s research profile in speech and language therapy, helping to build evidence that can directly influence clinical practice and policy.”
Pro Vice-Chancellor Research and Innovation, Professor Sheldon Hanton said: “We are delighted to see our researchers recognised through these significant awards. Their success highlights the strength and relevance of Cardiff Met’s research in health and care, and our continued commitment to making a meaningful impact on people’s lives in Wales and beyond.”
Michael Bowdery, Head of Programmes at Health and Care Research Wales, said: “This year’s applications once again highlighted the drive and expertise of Welsh researchers. The funded projects show a strong commitment to improving health and wellbeing, and we’re proud to support research that delivers meaningful impact.
“We also warmly welcome this year’s personal awardees. Their compelling proposals reflect the strength of research talent across Wales, and these awards will support their continued development and contribution to their chosen fields.”
For the full list of awardees, visit the Health and Care Research Wales website.