Maggie Shepherd
Current Position: Honorary Clinical Professor (monogenic diabetes), Consultant Nurse (monogenic diabetes) / Associate Professor for Nursing Research RDUH
Research Field: Monogenic diabetes: including prevalence, impact of a genetic diagnosis and treatment change, clinical management. Also leading initiatives within RDUH to increase nurses,midwives and AHP engagement and awareness of research / clinical academic careers
Why did you decide to undertake clinical academic training and what pathway have you taken so far?
To further my career and add to the literature in monogenic diabetes from a nursing perspective as well as increased job satisfaction.
Certificate in Genomic Medicine, Medical Education and Therapeutic (Genetic) Counselling, PhD (Medical Science), 2 x post Doc awards.
Why did you choose to conduct your clinical training at the University of Exeter and what are some of the highlights?
Location and expertise from supervisors who are world leading experts.
Working with amazing supervisors and other colleagues who are conducting world leading research (very stimulating, motivating environment with support / discussion available) .
Being able to make a difference to clinical care through my work in monogenic diabetes for the benefit of patients.
Working with NHS England to develop educational initiatives to identify and train leads in monogenic diabetes in 95% of Trusts across England (ie being given the freedom to develop initiatives that will have a national impact).
What challenges have you faced during your clinical academic training and how have you overcome these?
Funding – overcome by seeking different routes for different initiatives (eg when funding for educational initiatives rather than research).
Balancing / juggling workload with clinical, education and research commitments.
What impact has clinical academic training had on your career and what are your next steps?
Huge impact on my career – leading nurse in monogenic diabetes in the UK, also one of the nationally appointed NIHR70@70 Senior Nurse Research Leaders and a Florence Nightingale Foundation Leadership Scholar and winner of the Aster Guardians Global Nursing Award 2023.
Next steps: BRC Senior Fellowship, continuing to explore opportunities to extend impact of work in monogenic diabetes, trying to identify other nurses to undertake clinical academic careers (including in monogenic diabetes).
What advice would you give to an aspiring clinical academic?
Find excellent supervisors, link with others following a similar pathway to share ideas / support, follow your passion, think big (national / international) and believe you can make a difference.
Consider leadership training (Kings Fund courses and others excellent)
