Research Priority Domain Lead | RCOG Research

Research Priority Domain Lead

RCOG Research Chair

Three years from July 2024 to July 2027

The role will be the point of contact, specialist societies. 

Remit: The research priority role will engage with specialist societies (full list of societies). They will take a lead role in the assessment of any and all PICOs submitted through the RCOG research process.

Groups wishing to engage with RCOG Research Priority will need to follow a simple process so that research ideas and PICOs (Population, Intervention, Comparison and Outcomes) submitted are representative and aligned with the College’s core values. A key remit for this role will be the initial review of these submissions.

The Research Committee reports to the Academic Board.

• To work with the Chair to lead engagement activity with specialist societies
• To manage the PICO submission with the support of the committee secretary
• To attend quarterly meetings and represent the College at related meetings

• RCOG Academic Board
• Vice President, Clinical Quality
• Executive Director, Education & Quality
• Director, Clinical Quality
• Clinical Quality Administrator

The Research Committee meets four times per year, three times variable and once face to face. You will be expected to attend the majority all committees either in person or by video conferencing.

There will also be a commitment outside of the meetings to deal with Committee matters.

This role reflects the present requirements of the post. As duties and responsibilities change and develop the role description will be reviewed and be subject to amendment in consultation with the post holder. 

The role description will be re-evaluated at the end of the term. 

Essential

• Registered with a licence to practise with GMC, in good standing
• Consultant in obstetrics and/or gynaecology in UK NHS Practice or substantive academic post holder
• Academic or research qualification
• Clear demonstration of a commitment to improving women’s health relevant to the Research Committee
• Evidence of annual appraisal
• Evidence of equal opportunities and diversity training within three years of active practice

Essential

• Experience of academic research or academic publication
• Active member of a specialist society

Essential

• An enthusiasm for the development of research and its support through appropriate representation and meetings and the time commitment as specified above
• Understanding of the role of the Research Committee
• Good communicator as evidenced by past publications and presentations
• Flexibility
• Prepared to undertake work for the Committee, outside of the committee meetings
• Prepared to respond rapidly to issues as they arise
• Up to date with College membership subscriptions
• Of good standing with the College

The 2019 RCOG CPD Guide can be found here.

Committee Chair/Member/Course Convenors and Organisers

If within your committee role or work as course convenor or organiser you gain knowledge which enhances patient care or leadership and technical skills (including for example, giving presentations, teaching sessions or mock examining) credits can be claimed as an ‘Experiential Learning Event’.

Reflection is required to claim credits for an Experiential Learning Event. 2 CPD credits are claimable following reflection. In addition 1 or 2 credits are claimable for an action following the learning (1 credit for a simple action, 2 credits for a complex action). To claim credits for an action, the individual needs to demonstrate how they have applied their learning to their practice, the service they provide and/or the potential impact of the learning.

The RCOG research Committee reports to the Academic Board.

• Increase the impact of RCOG on research in women’s health care research to facilitate improvements in women’s health care
• Interact with specialist societies and their Clinical Study Groups to provide access to funders with specialist determined research priorities
• Provide access to research training for RCOG members and trainee members
• Interact with funders to raise the profile of women’s health research and facilitate and increased commissioned calls
• Communicate Research opportunities, training resources, the annual academic meeting, Scientific impact documents, Wellbeing of Women via the RCOG research website
• Link with NIHR CRN to develop research delivery equity
• Develop boarder engagement with all those involved in research in women’s health to include midwifery

• Membership will be appointed through an open process, vacancies will be advertised through the RCOG website
• The RCOG Fellows/Members/honorary members/trainee member will be appointed by the Chair and Professional Services
• All RCOG research terms will be for a maximum three years (reviewed annually), with an option to serve a second term where circumstances require
• Full consideration of the RCOG’s commitment to Equality and Diversity should be given in the appointment of members of RCOG Research (see https://www.rcog.org.uk/en/about-us/policies/diversity-policy/)

RCOG Research will meet quarterly using Teams and other additional meetings as necessary. One of the meetings will be scheduled to coincide with the Annual Blair Bell meeting

The administration of the meetings (scheduling, recording decisions, actions and reports) is the responsibility of the RCOG Research and its Chair, supported by the Clinical Quality team of the College.

The RCOG research Committee reports to the Academic Board.

Sherelle Kenton-O’meally: skenton-o’meally@rcog.org.uk 

RCOG research will have an executive made up of seven individuals:

• Chair of the Committee
• Research Priority Lead
• Research Engagement Lead
• Research Delivery Lead
• RCOG Director of Clinical Quality
• RCOG Trainee (UKRCOG/Medical Student)
• Lay Member (Women’s Voices)
• Midwifery Representative TBC
• RCM Representative TBC
• Committee Secretary

1.1. The Chair of RCOG Research will have overall responsibility for delivering RCOG Research’s objectives. They will sit on the Academic Board and report to the Chair of the Academic Board.

1.2. The three RCOG Fellows/Members/honorary members will each lead a separate domain which will fulfil the remit of RCOG research, namely: 

1.2.1 Research Priority

The Research priority role will engage with legacy CSG’s and Specialist societies. Groups wishing to engage with Research Priority will need to comply with simplified TOR so that research ideas and PICOs submitted are representative and aligned with the college’s core values and potential funding sources. Specialist societies that are currently affiliated with the existing research committee, for example BMFMS, but also those not previously directly linked to Research committee activities e.g. BGCS. Full list of societies. Legacy CSG’s that have expressed an interest in remaining in their current format include (Stillbirth CSG, British Fertility Society) and will continue to operate in accordance with the previous ToR but with exclusion of RCOG funding. 

1.2.2 Research Engagement

This role will lead on engagement with the work of RCOG Research with members and fellows and proactively with funders. 

Communication and engagement will be via social media and a new RCOG Research web page linked into the main RCOG site. The post holder will work with the College clinical quality and external affairs team to ensure the high quality information is shared widely. 

1.2.3 Research Delivery

This role will be crucial in supporting the success of the NIHR Reproductive Health Science’s recruitment and delivery. As this is a priority that delivers significant delivery funding and increased midwifery research capacity across NHS England. Additionally this role will explore the disparity between home nations in this area.