We are incredibly proud to congratulate our very own Johanna White, Primary Care Research Lead at the South Yorkshire Primary Care Workforce and Training Hub, who has been named as one of the winners of the NIHR20 Research Leaders Prizes.

The prizes form part of NIHR’s 20th anniversary celebrations and recognise outstanding individuals who are leading and delivering research across health and social care. Winners were selected for their contribution to research leadership, innovation, inclusion and impact.

Johanna is a nurse leader in primary care research development and community engagement, and her work has made a significant contribution to strengthening research capacity and widening participation across South Yorkshire.

Johanna has helped grow the Sheffield Deep End Research Cluster, securing sustained funding and doubling the number of research-active sites. She led a successful capital award to establish a research facility serving a population of around 55,000 patients and founded the South Yorkshire Primary Care Research Community of Practice, which now has more than 70 members.

Her commitment to making research more inclusive is also demonstrated through her work as co-founder of the 1in4 Sheffield Prostate Cancer Support Group. Working in partnership with Sheffield African and Caribbean Mental Health Association, the group supports African and Caribbean men, who face a higher risk of prostate cancer but remain under-represented in research.

Johanna has also secured funding to support the development of the Yorkshire and Humber School for Primary Care Research, helping to create further opportunities for people working in primary care to develop their research skills, careers and involvement.

The NIHR20 prizes celebrate people who are improving outcomes for patients, tackling inequalities and strengthening the UK’s research workforce.

Each winner will receive a £10,000 professional development award alongside access to leadership development and mentoring, with a formal prize-giving ceremony taking place at the NIHR Academy Conference in October.

A fantastic and very well-deserved recognition of Johanna’s leadership, energy and commitment to ensuring that primary care research reaches the communities who can benefit from it.

Johanna – we are very proud to have you as part of the Hub team.