I’ve been part of the GSTT R&D Non-Commercial Governance Team since 2017, and I’m one of four Governance Specialists in the team. We each bring slightly different experience, but we work closely together and support each other day to day. In my current role, I focus less on day to day study reviews and more on process improvement, line management, and supporting the team as a whole. It’s a varied job, and no two days are ever quite the same.
I usually start around 7.30am on office days or 8am when I’m working from home. We work in a hybrid way, which really helps me plan and structure my week. I tend to use home working days for tasks that need more focus and quiet, like sponsorship reviews or developing guidance, and office days for meetings, discussions with colleagues, and anything that benefits from being face to face.
My day usually starts with a quick scan of the calendar (study reviews, meetings, one to ones, and any planned follow-ups with researchers or colleagues across the Trust). Then I check my emails and make any adjustments if something more urgent has come in. It helps me stay focused and make sure I’m using my time in the right way.
Team support is a key part of my role. I line manage a number of Governance Coordinators and Governance Facilitators and have regular catch ups with them to check in on progress, provide support on more complex issues, and focus on their ongoing development. I try to create the space for them to ask questions and build confidence without pressure. It’s a great feeling when one of your team shows growth and goes on to get a promotion.
I also spend time looking at how we can improve our internal processes – identifying where things could be streamlined, removing steps that don’t add value, and reviewing the tools and guidance we use as a team. I might update template review documents so they better align with our internal processes, or refine the sponsorship guide to make it more accessible for researchers.
I still manage a number of studies for sponsorship review, often those that are more complex or still in development. This includes working closely with researchers to shape their applications before they’re submitted, helping them think through the governance aspects early on. It’s very collaborative, and I like being someone people can turn to for specialist support.
There’s a constant stream of queries from researchers, and I often help the team respond to the more complex or borderline questions that need more scrutiny. These might involve international data or tissue sharing, grey areas around sponsor responsibilities, or interpreting regulatory expectations for studies that don’t neatly fit into the usual boxes. It’s important to be pragmatic and not take a ‘computer says no’ approach. It’s about collaborating with researchers, not just pointing out issues.
People sometimes think governance is all about bureaucracy, but really, we’re here to make research safer and smoother, and to help avoid unnecessary queries or delays from REC, MHRA or the HRA later on. I enjoy being in a role where I can spot patterns, shape how things are done, and support people to do their best work.
It’s a busy role, but when you see a study open knowing patients may go on to benefit, see a process improve, or see a team member grow in confidence and ability, it’s genuinely rewarding.