Dr Jenna Tugwell-Allsup

What is your current role?

I’m a Research Radiographer at Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, the largest health board in Wales, serving over 700,000 people.

My role and expertise include radiology-specific research such as radiation dose and image quality optimisation as well as general transferable research skills and knowledge. I lead and conduct my own research, support and facilitate research that involves imaging, and generate and review radiology and the health board’s research governance policies and procedures, including the radiology research strategy, clinical trials and RECIST (response evaluation criteria in solid tumours) standard operating procedures. I also have teaching and educational responsibilities, which include mentoring and training of students and staff within and beyond radiology.

In addition, I am a journal peer reviewer, deputy chair of the research and development (R&D) board meeting and a member of the Society of Radiographers Research Advisory Group. I get involved in grant application writing, perform RECIST measurements for oncology clinical trials and run a journal club. I am an audit/quality improvement lead at one of the district general hospitals too. 

What was your previous experience and how have you developed in the role?

I had no previous research experience when I applied, other than conducting a research project for my undergraduate BSc (Hons) degree, which won a university award and was the basis of my first publication. Having worked clinically for a few years in general radiography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), an opportunity arose for the research radiographer role. Following my successful appointment, I initially completed an MPhil (Master of Philosophy) degree, and two years later decided to pursue a PhD ‘by published work’ (based on six of my peer-reviewed international publications), which I completed in August 2021.The roles and responsibilities I’ve mentioned have evolved over time as my experience in research has developed.

In addition to my two postgraduate degrees, I’ve undertaken other very useful research training and activities as part of my role, such as completing certification in informedconsent, managing essential documents in research and Good Clinical Practice (GCP) research principles, as well as participating in annual OPTIMAX research summer schools, exploring new ways of optimising dose and image quality.

What has proved helpful in your career to date?

Research is a very niche area, especially within the radiography profession, but over the past 10 years, more and more radiographers are pursuing a career in research or want to conduct/engage with research. I have benefited from support and guidance from numerous individuals and institutions. My line manager has been extremely supportive of the research radiographer role from the start, and the local radiology and R&D departments have also played a significant part as well as providing me with the necessary emotional, financial and educational support. I completed both my postgraduate degrees (MPhil and PhD) with Salford University and there have been a number of colleagues and ex-colleagues from Salford who have provided me with a wealth of knowledge and skills, encouragement and support.

In addition, I was fortunate to be part of two European research summer schools with Salford University, which provided me with further opportunities to develop as a researcher in terms of advancing my skills and knowledge as well as offering new and valuable networking opportunities for future collaboration. I have joined the Society of Radiographers Research Advisory Group and this has already proved extremely valuable in terms of collaboration and generating a support network for the role.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of what you do?

Unlike working clinically, where it is possible to get instant gratification or reward from a successful examination when a patient gives you positive feedback, a smile or a thank you, you may have to wait longer to glean the rewards from research. Nevertheless, when you do have a successful grant application, a paper published, consent a patient into a trial, disseminate your research findings or deliver research training or a lecture, the feeling of achievement is enormous. Some rewards can seem time consuming and difficult to achieve, such as completing a PhD or publishing a paper, but that feeling of success and achievement once you do is like no other. Knowing your work will be disseminated among peers while having the potential to impact on clinical practice and have patient benefits is extremely rewarding.

What advice can you give on moving into research roles?

You develop and learn while in the role, so having no prior research skills and knowledge does not mean you cannot succeed in a research role. The characteristics that are most important are enthusiasm, open mindedness, ambition, critical thinking and passion. It’s about having an enquiring mind and an interest in discovering new knowledge and finding and generating new evidence to help inform clinical practice, protocols and policies, while encouraging others to do the same.

Having resilience and patience is also very important in a research role. Not every grant application or attempt at publishing your work will be successful, and sometimes encouraging change in others can be a slow process. Remember that research is an integral aspect of the radiography profession, and such a role is important to drive the profession forward, both by conducting research and encouraging and supporting others to do so. It’s about creating a culture that wants to engage with research as opposed to seeing it as a complex expertise area that they are afraid of delving into.