Professor Richard Martin awarded NIHR Senior Investigator status for a second term

Richard Martin, Professor of Clinical Epidemiology at the University of Bristol and co-lead of Bristol BRC’s diet and physical activity theme, has been awarded Senior Investigator status by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) for a second term.

NIHR Senior Investigators are among the most prominent and prestigious researchers funded by the NIHR, recognised for their exceptional contributions to research and their influence in shaping the future of health and care. They receive funding to support their research activities while undertaking a senior leadership role for the NIHR.

Senior Investigators are members of the NIHR Academy, responsible for the development and coordination of NIHR academic training, career development and research capacity building. The academy plays a pivotal role in attracting, training and supporting talented health and care researchers to tackle the complex challenges facing the sector.

39 researchers have been newly appointed as NIHR Senior Investigators in 2025 and 19 have been reappointed for a second term, in the 18th annual round of appointments.

Two other University of Bristol researchers have also been awarded Senior Investigator status:

• Geraldine Macdonald, Professor of Social Work in the School for Policy Studies, has been appointed as a new NIHR Senior Investigator
• Alistair Hay, Professor of Primary Care, has been appointed for a second term

Professor Martin said:

“I am delighted to have been selected as an NIHR Senior Investigator for a second term.

It is a great honour, and through this award I aim to further my strong commitment to the NIHR strategic aims of capacity building in NHS and social care research, bringing research to underserved communities, embedding EDI, and expanding industry-academic partnerships.”

The 19th annual round of the NIHR Senior Investigators Competition will be announced in summer 2025. Leading researchers funded by the NIHR and working in health, public health or social care in England are encouraged to apply. Further details about the competition will be made available on the NIHR website.