Stephen joined Health Data Research UK (HDR UK) in April 2022 as Alliance Engagement Officer and transitioned into Alliance Programme Officer in April 2023.  

This role involves supporting the growth of the UK Health Data Research Alliance membership by coordinating stakeholder engagement across the Alliance, including prospective and existing members/aligned organisations. Stephen plans and delivers Alliance events, working group sessions and forums, enabling the Alliance in its mission to accelerate improvements in biomedicine, health and care by encouraging widespread and responsible use of health-relevant data in a trustworthy, ethical way for research and innovation.

Stephen has a background in Clinical Workforce Engagement, working with the National Institute for Health and Care Research, Clinical Research Network (NIHR CRN) in various roles for several years. This primarily involved engaging different clinical and academic stakeholder groups to support the NIHR CRN’s focus on improving health research delivery across the UK. In particular, he has worked closely with Research Nurses/Midwives, Clinical Research Practitioners, Allied Health Professionals and Clinical Academics. Prior to his time with the NIHR CRN, Stephen worked in Oncology Pharmacy as a liaison between Oncology Nurses and Pharmacists, to ensure timely treatment for chemotherapy out-patients. Before this, he completed a BSc in Biomedical Sciences with Microbiology & Molecular Biology at Leeds Beckett University.