Professor Vicki Goodwin MBE, physiotherapist, Professor of Ageing and Rehabilitation and NIHR Senior Investigator at the University of Exeter, received our 2025 Senior Leader Academy Excellence Award. Here, she shares her approach to leadership and how she inspires those who might think research isn’t for them.
We need people from diverse professions to lead ageing research and help create the change needed to ensure everyone can age well. However, not everyone sees research as a space for them — especially many Allied Health Professionals (AHPs) working in the NHS.
Outside of teaching hospitals, it’s much harder to find a route into research. Vicki has been busy breaking down those barriers. “I want to inspire more AHPs to see research as a place for them,” she explains. “Show them it is possible — and normal — to achieve great things, even when they’ve not had many opportunities in the past.”
Vicki’s work aligns with our value of inclusivity and our commitment to building capacity in ageing research. “Don’t believe it’s impossible to get involved just because you can’t see someone like you doing research,” says Vicki. “I’m the first person in my family to go to university — we can succeed.”
Physiotherapists as researchers
Vicki’s research focuses on the rehabilitation of older people living with frailty, including those with neurodegenerative conditions such as dementia and Parkinson’s. Starting her career as a community physiotherapist, Vicki noticed that physiotherapy research tended to be led by doctors or surgeons — not physiotherapists.
“Despite AHPs being the third largest professional group in the NHS, there are few opportunities for them to get involved in research,” Vicki explains.
Her route into research began when she was working within the Public Health team and her boss introduced her to a Professor in the new local medical school — and she’s never looked back. In 2019, Vicki became the first AHP to be appointed as a Clinical Research Specialty Lead for Ageing for the National Institute for Health and Care Research’s Clinical Research Network, as it was known then.
Creating more routes into ageing research
For NHS staff looking to get into research, it’s not always about what you know — it’s who you know. “Networks are essential,” shares Vicki. “You have to surround yourself with people who have you in mind.”
Vicki does a lot of match-making to connect AHPs with academic mentors or research studentships. She has helped physiotherapists, podiatrists, dietitians and others gain their first experience of research.
She encourages people to build connections and reach out to potential mentors. This can be as simple as searching for people on search engines, looking at university websites, and sending an email. “Have the confidence to reach out and ask for help. That’s totally acceptable, and so many will say yes,” she adds. Our Academy is also a great place to find mentors, forge new connections, and begin collaborating with others in the ageing field.
Part of her award funding will go towards a community rehabilitation research showcase in the South West. The event will bring together academics, NHS staff and others from different career stages to foster connections.
The qualities of a leader
Vicki champions two leadership qualities in particular: curiosity and an openness to learning from others. As a student who always asked questions, she has carried that habit throughout her career. “Curiosity is a good quality for leaders,” says Vicki. “I try to be stubborn for good — to change things for the better.”
She also believes leaders should show humility. “People expect leaders to be perfect, or some leaders don’t want to acknowledge any weakness,” she explains. “As the leader, I don’t have all the answers, and that’s why you have a multidisciplinary team with different ideas, beliefs and knowledge around you.”
Vicki would like to see more leaders being open to learning from different perspectives. “If all you do is surround yourself with people who think like you, then you’re never going to get innovation or creativity,” she adds.
Reducing barriers for those entering research
As well as the showcase, Vicki is using her award funding to reduce barriers in two other ways. The first is setting up an Ageing Research Cafe – a free, online 45-minute slot for researchers to share their ideas for research on ageing. The aim is to have a supportive conversation that could help shape their ideas into something stronger and more relevant. Find out more and book your space here.
The second is giving nurses and AHPs more opportunities to become research-ready. This includes training retreats, courses and summer schools to show them how to write strong applications, publish their first paper and disseminate research creatively. Vicki will also fund those just starting out to present at conferences.
“There are opportunities out there, so don’t be put off by barriers,” Vicki reassures. “It might take a bit of time and involve a sideways move first, but be persistent.”
Thrive in ageing-related research by working with us
Check out our open funding opportunities, including those for healthcare professionals. For example, you can apply for up to £5K through the Ignition Fund to develop a range of activities, such as PPIE initiatives. And keep an eye out for our 2026 Excellence Awards opening in September 2025. Members of our Academy can self-nominate or nominate others by explaining how they have demonstrated research excellence and a genuine commitment to our key values.
You can also read our spotlight on Dr Toby Ellmers, our 2025 Rising Star Award winner, and his must-haves for Early Career Researchers.
