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The NIHR is proud to announce the inaugural Tessa Jowell Allied Health Professionals (AHP) Research Fellows.
It is the UK’s first national programme dedicated to AHP-led research in neuro-oncology and marks a pivotal step in brain tumour care. The Tessa Jowell Brain Cancer Mission (TJBCM) manages the fellowships which are funded with £400,000 by NIHR.
People living with brain tumours face profound physical and psychological challenges. Rehabilitation and supportive care remain under-researched and inconsistent across the UK.
The Tessa Jowell AHP Research Fellowships were launched in 2025. They aim to equip AHPs with the skills, confidence and protected time to lead high-quality applied research in neuro-oncology.
This inaugural cohort marks an important step towards closing long-standing evidence gaps in brain tumour care.
The two successful Fellows are:
- Alice Franklin, Senior Specialist Physiotherapist at South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, and Senior Lecturer in Physiotherapy, Teesside University
- Sharon Fernandez, Research Radiographer at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
Both Fellowships will last up to 4 years. They were awarded following a competitive process. It was supported by a committee with expertise across neuro-oncology, allied health practice, research and lived experience.
Research focused on unmet needs
People diagnosed with high-grade brain tumours often face intensive treatments with significant physical and psychological impact. Alice Franklin’s research will explore how support delivered before and during treatment can:
- better prepare patients for treatment
- improve quality of life
- inform more consistent, evidence-based approaches to care across the UK
Radiotherapy is a core component of treatment for glioblastoma. However, patients and caregivers often report feeling under-prepared for what to expect.
Sharon Fernandez’s project will work with patients, caregivers and professionals to co-design a framework. This will support a more personalised, meaningful and accessible radiotherapy education, addressing a critical gap in supportive care.
Professor Waljit Dhillo, Dean of the NIHR Academy and NIHR Scientific Director for Research Capacity and Capabilities, said: “This is a vital investment from the NIHR, and we’re delighted to welcome 2 AHP fellows to help make a real difference in improving brain tumour care across the UK.
“It’s a devastating disease that impacts patients and families and NIHR's partnership with the Tessa Jowell Brain Cancer Mission supports the government’s National Cancer Plan to transform cancer care.
“Upskilling the workforce to increase research will play a key role in improving treatment and driving innovation. I’m excited to see the impact this research will have on improving patients' quality of life by providing more personalised and supportive care.”
Dr Helen Bulbeck, director of services, brainstrust, said: “People affected by brain tumours consistently tell us that supportive care matters just as much as treatment. brainstrust is proud to support the Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement for this programme, making sure lived experience meaningfully informs research that will change how people live well with a brain tumour.”
A uniquely developmental programme
A defining feature of the Fellowships is the developmental application process. It was designed to actively support applicants with limited research experience. A select group of applicants received detailed verbal and written expert feedback to refine their proposals. They also received PPIE support delivered by brainstrust.
A total of 13 expressions of interest were received from applicants across 8 UK centres and 5 AHP disciplines. 4 progressed to project development, culminating in 2 Fellowship awards. A further 2 projects were re-routed to NIHR funding pathways.
Applicants described the process as confidence-building and uniquely supportive.
Reflecting on the inaugural cohort, Dr Stephen Wootton, committee member, said: “These Fellowships represent an ambitious and important step forward for neuro-oncology.
"By investing in Allied Health Professionals and supporting them through a genuinely developmental process, we are building the next generation of clinical academics and strengthening the evidence base for rehabilitation and supportive care.”
The Tessa Jowell AHP Research Fellowships will continue to play a central role in TJBCM’s mission to improve quality of life for everyone affected by brain tumours, ensuring that, in the words of Dame Tessa Jowell, patients can “live well with cancer, not just die of it”.
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