NIAA Research Award
Open for applications until Monday 25 September 2023
Shortlisted finalists will be invited to present at Anaesthesia Research 2023 in York
Aim
The NIAA Research Award aims to promote and encourage current and active researchers within the field of anaesthesia, perioperative medicine or pain research in the UK.
- It will be awarded to an individual who has demonstrated excellence in scientific research relevant to anaesthesia, perioperative care or pain.
- The award will allow new investigators to achieve recognition through presentation at a national meeting with peer-review.
- The award winner will be decided and presented at Anaesthesia Research 2023 in York on Wednesday 29 November 2023. Applicants should ensure they are available to attend Anaesthesia Research in York on this date, in the event of being shortlisted.
Eligibility Criteria
- This award is open to all investigators of anaesthesia, perioperative or pain research within the UK who are members of one of the NIAA's founding partners or funding partners. This includes consultants or equivalent, trainees and early career researchers.
- The applicant will have completed a 'body of work' that may have been presented at an equivalent scientific national or international meeting or published as an abstract or full paper in a peer-reviewed journal.
- A 'body of work' will include a project that covers a clear, evidence-based research question, appropriate methods, well-conducted study/studies and statistical analysis of results drawing to a valid conclusion. A 'body of work' would typically be the equivalent to two or more research papers on one subject area or from a higher degree thesis (MD/PhD).
Application
This year we are asking applicants to complete and submit a brief application form as part of their abstract. Please see below to download the form.
NIAA Research Award Submission Form 2023.docx (865 KB)
Applicants are invited to submit a summary of their 'body of work', this should be fully referenced and state the author's contribution. The summary should fit two A4 sheets with 12 point font, 2.5 cm margins and single line spacing; it should be formatted as follows:
- Abstract title
- All authors' initials and last names (indicate any non-members using an asterisk)
- The name of the Institution where the majority of the work was carried out
- The text of the abstract should not contain headings, but should follow the general progression through background, methods, results, conclusions
- Use a blank line to separate paragraphs
- Two tables or figures are permitted, and which should be incorporated into the document
- If a figure is used, ensure that a figure caption is provided within the abstract document. The figure will be reduced in printing; please do not use any font in the figure smaller than your text font
- References are listed and cited as specified by the British Journal of Anaesthesia, except that you do not need to provide the titles of papers
- There is no restriction on the number of references cited but they are included in the page limit.
- Please acknowledge any source of funding for your study at the end of the abstract
- Deadline for applications is 5pm, Monday 25 September 2023
Work may have been and can subsequently be presented or published elsewhere. The summary of research may be published in the NIAA newsletter and website following agreement from the author. In some circumstances applicants may submit a modified version for publication if inclusion of data may preclude future publication or presentation.
Selection
The finalists will be selected by a panel of judges from the NIAA. They will review the summaries based on the following criteria:
- Originality and relevance
- Evidence based background and hypothesis
- Quality of study design and methodology
- Appropriate statistical analysis
- Description of limitations
- Discussion and appropriate conclusions drawn from the summary of results including the impact that it would have on the future of anaesthesia and perioperative care.
We will endeavour to notify shortlisted finalists by 20 October 2023, who will then have until 17 November 2023 to prepare a 10-minute presentation. Those shortlisted finalists will be asked to submit their presentation slides in advance, by 17 November 2023.
Presentation and Judging
The top scoring applicants will be invited to present their work in York as part of Anaesthesia Research 2023, and will be eligible for the NIAA Research Award competition.
Shortlisted candidates will be required to prepare a 10-minute presentation by 17 November 2023, in advance of Anaesthesia Research 2023.
Candidates will be expected to deliver their 10-minute presentation in York on the morning of Wednesday 29 November 2023, as part of the programme for Anaesthesia Research 2023.
The overall winner will be selected by the panel and announced at the end of Anaesthesia Research 2023, on Wednesday 29 November 2023.
The following criteria will be used to score each oral presentation:
- Oral presentation that is clear, delivers a logical approach to the evidence-based background and hypothesis leading to relevant conclusions.
- Robust and well-designed study methodology.
- Accurate presentation of results including appropriate statistical analysis with use of figures and tables.
- Questions answered clearly and constructively. Clear viewpoint on application of results to clinical practice and future direction of research.
Reviewers and Judging Panel
Professor Fang Gao MB BS, MPhil, MD, FFICM, FRCA
Professor of Anaesthesia, Critical Care and Pain
Birmingham Acute Care Research
Institute of Inflammation and Ageing
University of Birmingham
NIHR Senior Investigator Emeritus
Consultant in Anaesthesia & Critical Care Medicine, University Hospitals of Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust
Main research interests:
Translational research in inflammation and clinical trials in cardiothoracic anaesthesia and trauma.
Dr Kariem El-Boghdadly
Kariem is a Consultant Anaesthetist at Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust and Honorary Senior Lecturer at King's College London. His interests include regional anaesthesia, airway management and research delivery. He's the Scientific Officer for the Difficult Airway Society, the Clinical Lead and R&D Lead for Theatres, Anaesthesia and Perioperative Medicine, is an Editor of Anaesthesia Journal and Anaesthesia Reports and is well published in peer-reviewed literature and books.

Dr Brian Johnston
Anaesthetics and Intensive Care Medicine Registrar
NIAA Trainee Representative
Co-founder of Trainee Research in Intensive Care Network (TRICNetwork)
Liverpool Centre for Cardiovascular Science PhD candidate
Research interests:
Machine learning and clinical trials to examine cardiovascular complications and arrhythmias perioperatively and in critical care.
Prof Gudrun Kunst
Consultant Anaesthetist and Honorary Professor of Cardiovascular Anaesthesia, King's College London
Clinical interests include perioperative medicine, cardiovascular anaesthesia and anaesthesia for day surgery procedures. She was promoted to Professor of Cardiovascular Anaesthesia at King's College London in 2020. Her research interests include perioperative organ protection and biomarkers for acute organ failure.
Prize
The award winner will hold the 'NIAA Research Award' for one year and will receive an honorarium of £500 and be presented with a certificate embossed with a gold emblem.
Previous Winners
2022 Winner: Dr Andrew Cumpstey, Southampton
Supplemental oxygen therapy in anaesthesia and intensive care, & its effect on oxidative stress during major surgery

Dr Andrew Cumpstey & Research Award panel Chair Prof Fang Gao
2021 Winner: Dr Shaun May, London
Unravelling the enigma of elevated troponin after non-cardiac surgery
