Insights from 11th ESO Edinburgh Stroke Research Workshop

A Comprehensive Journey into Clinical Research: Insights from 11^th ESO Edinburgh Stroke Research Workshop

The 11th ESO Edinburgh Stroke Research Workshop was held at one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in Europe – the University of Edinburgh. The three-day intensive programme from 2-4 September 2024, aimed to provide young researchers with comprehensive skills in formulating impactful research questions, designing robust studies and presenting projects and research ideas.

This year participants came from countries across the globe, including Croatia, Norway, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, UK, Romania, Bulgaria, Portugal, Brazil, Ukraine, Germany, Costa Rica, and Pakistan. This international representation enriches the workshop with a variety of perspectives and experiences, fostering a truly global exchange of ideas in clinical research.

Our course organisers, Prof Diana Aguiar de Sousa (Portugal) and Dr Fergus Doubal (UK), supported by a dedicated international faculty, did an outstanding job by creating an extensive programme and bringing together truly engaging speakers. The focus of the first day was on developing research questions that are relevant to patients, clinical practice and science. The day included lectures on choosing a research question (by Dr Fergus Doubal), choosing between observational studies and clinical trials (by Prof Rustam Al-shahi Salman) and understanding the impact of research on clinical guidelines (by Prof Diana Aguiar de Sousa). The emphasis on statistics (in the lecture by Dr Francesca Chappell) highlighted how data analysis is crucial for achieving successful results. The lecture on research prioritisation (by Prof Terry Quinn) offered valuable insights into how to effectively identify the most critical areas. In the afternoon, we participated in interactive and productive hands-on sessions, refining our project ideas with expert guidance from our faculty. The day ended in a very relaxed atmosphere that allowed us to network with colleagues and faculty members while trying some of Scotland’s famous cuisine.

On the second day, the focus shifted to the practical aspects of research, including regulations, protocol development, and data governance (by Prof Bart van der Worp). Valuable insights on how to present research data compellingly and clearly, ensuring that findings are impactful and well-received, were provided by Dr Ben Bray. With Dr Lisa Kidd we explored the benefits of qualitative research in stroke studies, expanding our understanding of different research methodologies. The lectures by Prof Terry Quinn on “How to be Published” and Dr Atul Anand on “How to Organize Your Work to Deliver Better Research” presented crucial strategies for achieving successful publication and optimising research workflows. A challenging opportunity was the Speed-Networking session – we learned to present our research ideas in two minutes, trying to emphasise their main implications. Another excellent activity was the small focus groups of experts and participants, where in a supportive and non-judgmental environment we received personalised feedback and refined our project design. The day wraps up with another opportunity to build relationships with colleagues over dinner at Pizza Posto, a casual setting perfect for informal discussions and idea-sharing.

The final day of the programme was dedicated to communication. Prof Eleanor Davies provided essential insights into securing funding and shared tips from the funder’s perspective on what makes a successful grant application. A major result of the workshop was that each of the participants developed a project proposal, incorporating the knowledge gained throughout the sessions. We then presented our research ideas, receiving tailored feedback from the faculty to enhance our approach and improve our presentation skills. Additionally, we had the opportunity to take part in a simulated grant board meeting, giving us a practical experience of the grant application process. The day concluded with a lecture on maintaining balance as a researcher by Prof Silke Walter, followed by a forward-looking session on the future of stroke research led by Prof Jesse Dawson.

This three-day intensive programme is more than a learning experience for me! This is a complete road map for aspiring clinical researchers. From formulating appropriate research questions to navigating the complexities of regulations and effectively presenting data, we as young researchers were able to gain skills and knowledge to create projects, that could make meaningful contributions to clinical practice and science.

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