Dr Chiara Dall’Ora wins prestigious NIHR Research Leaders Prize

Dr Chiara Dall’Ora, Associate Professor in Health Workforce in the School of Health Sciences, has been recognised with a prestigious national research leadership prize.

Dr Dall’Ora has been named as one of 20 NIHR20 Rising Research Leaders , which recognises outstanding individuals who lead and deliver research across health and social care.

The prizes, which mark the 20th anniversary of the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), celebrate talented leaders who are making an exceptional contribution to health and care research across the UK, improving outcomes for patients, tackling inequalities and driving economic growth across the country.

The Rising Research Leaders awards recognise 20 early to mid-career researchers who go beyond their day-to-day roles to lead impactful research and champion inclusion in the UK and globally.

Dr Dall’Ora was recognised for her contribution to health workforce research – including research on nurse staffing, shift patterns, workforce wellbeing and the development of practical, evidence-based solutions to support the health and care workforce.

The award also reflects her wider contributions to research leadership, capacity building, mentorship, and public involvement and engagement in research.

Dr Dall’Ora said: “As a nurse and health workforce researcher, my work focuses on improving the working lives of health and care staff and ensuring organisations have the evidence they need to deliver safe, high-quality care.

“This award recognises not only my own contribution, but the collective efforts of the patients, public contributors, practitioners, students and research collaborators who have shaped this work.

“It is particularly meaningful because it highlights the importance of developing research that moves beyond identifying workforce challenges to delivering practical solutions that improve outcomes for staff and the people they care for."

As a prize winner, Dr Dall’Ora will receive a £10,000 professional development award, alongside access to tailored leadership and development opportunities.

A formal prize-giving ceremony will take place at the 2026 NIHR Academy Conference in October.

Professor Lucy Chappell, Chief Scientific Adviser at the Department of Health and Social Care and Chief Executive Officer of NIHR, said: “These prizes highlight the exceptional talent and dedication found across our health and care research community. Our winners represent the best of research leadership, driving life-changing improvements for patients - nationally and internationally - and tackling inequalities head-on.

“As we mark 20 years of the NIHR, we are proud to celebrate these outstanding individuals who are strengthening health and social care and making research more inclusive. The quality of the field was outstanding, and every winner should be immensely proud.”