Today (25th September 2025), on International Research Administrator Day, I want to take a moment to celebrate those professionals, in particular the incredible teams I have the privilege of working with across King’s and Guy’s & St Thomas’ that make our translational and clinical research happen.
Our Joint Research Office (JRO) has been designed to support and enable translational and clinical research. That means we support researchers to take discoveries from the lab and turn them into real-world treatments, cutting-edge diagnostics and interventions that improve patient health and care. Our work spans the full lifecycle of research, from early feasibility and protocol development, through ethics and regulatory approvals, contracting, study set-up, and ongoing delivery support. We work across academic departments, clinical specialties, and external partners to make sure research is not only initiated quickly but delivered effectively. And they do all of this while navigating a landscape that’s constantly evolving, new regulations, new technologies, new funding models, and new expectations from our patients, the public, funders and regulators.
The Real Impact of Research Professionals
It’s easy to underestimate the role of research professionals because so much of what they do happens behind the scenes. But let me be clear: without them, research doesn’t happen. Take study set-up, for example, teams work tirelessly reviewing protocols for feasibility, coordinating with clinical teams, negotiating contracts, and ensuring all governance requirements are met. This isn’t just about ticking boxes; it’s about enabling researchers to undertake safe, effective and impactful studies.
Then there’s delivery. Once a study is live, delivery teams support recruitment, manage amendments, monitor compliance, and troubleshoot issues. They’re the glue that holds everything together, making sure studies stay on track and meet their objectives. And they do all of this with a level of professionalism, care, and attention to detail that always impresses me.
A Culture of Collaboration
One of the many things I love about our JRO is the collaborative spirit that runs through everything we do. Across our partnership, there’s a multidisciplinary team that includes clinical trial managers, governance officers, contracts specialists, finance experts, and more, and they all work together with a shared purpose: to enable high-quality research that makes a difference. Working closely with our colleagues across King’s and Guy’s & St Thomas’, from academic leads and clinical investigators to finance, legal, and IT teams, it’s a true partnership that allows us to support such a diverse and ambitious research portfolio.
A Personal Thank You
So today, I want to say a heartfelt thank you to every research professional across our partnership and beyond. You are the reason our researchers can do what they do. You bring expertise, energy, and empathy to your work every single day! You solve problems, build relationships, and keep everything moving, even when the pressure is high and the timelines are tight. You’ve helped us build a reputation for excellence, and you’ve made our institutions places people want to work, collaborate, and grow. I’m incredibly proud of what you’ve achieved and even more excited about what’s ahead.
Looking to the Future
As research continues to evolve, so too does the role of our research professionals. They’re seeing more complex trials, more digital tools, more patient involvement, and more global collaboration. And that means their work is more important than ever. This is because they know that the faster and more effectively they can support research, the greater the impact our research will have.
Final Thoughts
International Research Administrator Day is a chance to pause and reflect, not just on the translational and clinical research we do, but on the people who make it possible. So, to all the research professionals out there, and especially to my colleagues across King’s and Guy’s & St Thomas’, a massive thank you! You are the unsung heroes of research, and today, we celebrate you and to the future of our research, powered by people like you.
If you’re a research professional, know that your contribution is seen, valued, and vital. If you’re one of our many researchers, please take a moment today to thank the professionals who support your work. And if you’re reading this wondering how you can help accelerate research, please get involved, collaborate, and champion the teams who make it happen. Let’s keep building our research environment where excellence is supported, celebrated, and shared, because together, we’re making a real difference!