{"id":669,"date":"2021-05-14T16:00:04","date_gmt":"2021-05-14T15:00:04","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.kcl.ac.uk\/doctoralstudies\/?p=669"},"modified":"2021-05-14T16:14:58","modified_gmt":"2021-05-14T15:14:58","slug":"health-professional-researcher-profile-dr-graham-blackman","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.kcl.ac.uk\/doctoralstudies\/2021\/05\/14\/health-professional-researcher-profile-dr-graham-blackman\/","title":{"rendered":"Health Professional Researcher Profile: Dr Graham Blackman"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"attachment_670\" style=\"width: 229px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><a href=\"https:\/\/uk.linkedin.com\/in\/graham-blackman-48144b123\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-670\" class=\"wp-image-670 size-medium\" src=\"http:\/\/blogs.kcl.ac.uk\/doctoralstudies\/files\/2021\/04\/Blackman-Graham-HPR-Case-Study-Photograph-1-219x300.jpg\" alt=\"Dr Graham Blackman\" width=\"219\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.kcl.ac.uk\/doctoralstudies\/files\/2021\/04\/Blackman-Graham-HPR-Case-Study-Photograph-1-219x300.jpg 219w, https:\/\/blogs.kcl.ac.uk\/doctoralstudies\/files\/2021\/04\/Blackman-Graham-HPR-Case-Study-Photograph-1.jpg 291w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 219px) 100vw, 219px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-670\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><em>Dr Graham Blackman, PhD Student at King&#8217;s College London<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n<p><strong>In this blog post we introduce you to one of our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kcl.ac.uk\/study\/doctoral-studies\/health-sciences-doctoral-training-centre\/health-professional-researchers\">Health Professional Researchers<\/a> (HPRs) at King\u2019s, <a href=\"https:\/\/uk.linkedin.com\/in\/graham-blackman-48144b123\">Dr Graham Blackman<\/a>:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Graham is in the third year of his PhD funded by\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/mrc.ukri.org\/funding\/\"><span class=\"TextRun SCXW27189467 BCX8\" lang=\"EN-NZ\" xml:lang=\"EN-NZ\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW27189467 BCX8\" data-ccp-parastyle=\"xxmsonormal\" data-ccp-parastyle-defn=\"{&quot;ObjectId&quot;:&quot;8f66427e-60b7-40ec-981a-7d912f6f7935|5&quot;,&quot;ClassId&quot;:1073872969,&quot;Properties&quot;:[134233117,&quot;true&quot;,134233118,&quot;true&quot;,134233614,&quot;true&quot;,201340122,&quot;2&quot;,201341983,&quot;0&quot;,268442635,&quot;24&quot;,335551500,&quot;4278190080&quot;,335551550,&quot;1&quot;,335551620,&quot;1&quot;,335559705,&quot;2057&quot;,335559740,&quot;240&quot;,469769226,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,469775450,&quot;xxmsonormal&quot;,469777841,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,469777842,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,469777843,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,469777844,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,469778129,&quot;xxmsonormal&quot;,469778324,&quot;Normal&quot;]}\">MRC<\/span><\/span><\/a>, and is in his fourth year of specialty training in General Adult Psychiatry<\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Graham is based in the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kcl.ac.uk\/academic-psychiatry\/about\/departments\/psychosis\">Department of Psychosis Studies<\/a> within the <a title=\"Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology &amp; Neuroscience homepage\" href=\"https:\/\/www.kcl.ac.uk\/ioppn\/\">Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology &amp; Neuroscience<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li>Graham&#8217;s working thesis title is <em><span class=\"TextRun SCXW216746435 BCX8\" lang=\"EN-GB\" xml:lang=\"EN-GB\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW216746435 BCX8\">The Association between Peripheral Markers of Inflammation and Clinical Outcomes in Psychosis<\/span><\/span><span class=\"EOP SCXW216746435 BCX8\" data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559739&quot;:200,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<blockquote><p><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Graham, could you give us a brief summary<\/span><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"none\"> of your route into a PhD, including previous research experience, and how this was funded?<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">I originally studied psychology at\u00a0University\u00a0before deciding to complete a graduate entry medicine degree. Prior to studying medicine, I had a couple of years of research experience under my belt which was\u00a0really helpful\u00a0in getting a flavour of what it was all about. Prior to taking time out of\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">clinical\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">training to complete a PhD, I was an academic clinical fellow (ACF) on the Maudsley Training Programme which provided 25% protected research time. I\u2019ve long considered a career in research, so taking time out of clinical training when the opportunity arose felt natural.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">What are your long-term ambitions for your\u00a0<\/span><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">clinical academic<\/span><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0career?<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">After completing my PhD, I will be returning to clinical practice to complete my training and gain<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0my<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT).\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">I hope to continue having some protected research time during the rest of my clinical training\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">to\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">further several<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">clinical studies that I\u2019m involved in which look at improving clinical\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">care in\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">patients<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0suffering with psychosis. Ultimately,\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">my long<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">-term ambition\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">is<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">to be able to balance a career as a clinicia<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">n and\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">academic.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">What tips would you give to a clinician newly embarking on an out-of-programme research project e.g. a PhD or MD(Res)?<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">My main advice would be t<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">o<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0gain research experience as early as possible. The time frame to conceive, plan, execute and publish a study is quite considerable and therefore careful planning is necessary. The other\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">piece of<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0advice I would give a budding\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">clinical academic<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0would be to seek out opportunities to work alongside a research team with a track record of\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">securing<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0grant<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">s\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">and\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">publishing in\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">high impact\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">journals<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">What support has been most helpful to you in terms of navigating your\u00a0<\/span><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">clinical academic<\/span><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0career to date?<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">In terms of formal support, being a\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">clinical academic<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\"> within the Maudsley and IoPPN <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">has been hugely beneficial in providing the infrastructure, training, and support<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0to navigate a rewarding, yet challenging career path. For example<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">,<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0through the\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">ACF<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0programme I was enrolled in a postgraduate certificate in\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">clinical<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0research, had protected research time<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">,<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0and dedicated tra<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">ini<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">ng days. Informal\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">support has also been critical<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0&#8211;<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0particularly in the form of\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">advice<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">and mentoring from other<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0trainees<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">, as well as more\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">senior colleagues<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:360,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">What is the most rewarding thing about being a\u00a0<\/span><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">clinical academic<\/span><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0researcher?<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">This is entirely personal, but in my case it&#8217;s the opportunity to continue to learn and challenge myself \u2013 there are so many facets to research, from generating research ideas, to managing a project through to completion, to analysing the data and disseminating the<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0results<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">. Furthermore, the chan<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">c<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">e\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">of\u00a0making<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\"> a contribution <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">towards improving care in patients suffering a serious mental disorder\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">is\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">a huge privilege<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">.\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">Finally,\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">my\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">experience<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0in\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">clinical\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">research has really\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">helped improve me as a psychiatrist\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">by gaining a\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">much deeper\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">understanding of the disorder<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">s I see on the wards and in clinic.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In this blog post we introduce you to one of our Health Professional Researchers (HPRs) at King\u2019s, Dr Graham Blackman: Graham is in the third year of his PhD funded by\u00a0MRC, and is in his fourth year of specialty training in General Adult Psychiatry Graham is based in the Department of Psychosis Studies within the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":991,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[81,79,66,78,77,76,80,1],"tags":[104,106,88,71,36,107],"class_list":["post-669","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-clinical-academic-careers","category-clinical-academic-researchers","category-clinicians","category-dual-careers","category-health-professional-researchers","category-health-professionals","category-research-fellowships","category-uncategorized","tag-graham","tag-health-professional-researcheressional-researcher","tag-health-professional-researchers","tag-health-sciences-doctoral-training-centre","tag-hsdtc","tag-mrc","post-preview"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.kcl.ac.uk\/doctoralstudies\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/669","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.kcl.ac.uk\/doctoralstudies\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.kcl.ac.uk\/doctoralstudies\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.kcl.ac.uk\/doctoralstudies\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/991"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.kcl.ac.uk\/doctoralstudies\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=669"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.kcl.ac.uk\/doctoralstudies\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/669\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":751,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.kcl.ac.uk\/doctoralstudies\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/669\/revisions\/751"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.kcl.ac.uk\/doctoralstudies\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=669"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.kcl.ac.uk\/doctoralstudies\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=669"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.kcl.ac.uk\/doctoralstudies\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=669"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}