HIT co-director wins prestigious NIHR Rising Research Leaders Prize

A University of Bristol clinical academic psychiatrist developing new ways to improve perinatal mental health support has received a prestigious national research leadership prize.

Dr Katie Hall, a psychiatrist and NIHR Doctoral Research Fellow at the University of Bristol, and co-director of Bristol Health Partners’ Perinatal and Infant Mental Health HIT, has been named one of 20 NIHR20 Rising Research Leaders in recognition of her outstanding contribution to health and care research.

The prizes mark the 20th anniversary of the National Institute for Health and Care Research and celebrate emerging leaders who are advancing research across the UK. Winners were recognised for qualities including innovative approaches to delivering research impact, excellence in research inclusion, and the ability to create effective partnerships and collaborations.

Katie’s research focuses on improving perinatal mental health and reducing inequalities in access to support. Her work brings together communities, NHS services, charities and academic partners to develop research that is clinically relevant, inclusive and shaped by the people it is intended to benefit. She is continually inspired by her clinical work, currently with the Specialist Perinatal Mental Health Team in Cornwall.

Building practical support into her studies is an important part of Katie’s inclusive approach to research. This includes enabling mothers to take part with their babies, transport, language interpretation and providing necessary materials to make taking part in research more accessible.

Developing the Mother Nature Programme

This collaborative approach is exemplified by the Mother Nature Programme, a co-designed, nature-based group intervention for mothers experiencing postnatal mental health difficulties and their babies.

The programme was developed in response to the ideas and needs of women who may be underserved by existing services. It combines rigorous mental health research with community engagement and nature-based approaches, working with local outdoor and cultural venues as well as NHS organisations, charities and community groups.

Katie began developing the programme during an NIHR Academic Clinical Fellowship, when she led its initial co-design. She is now building on that early feasibility work through her NIHR Doctoral Fellowship, leading a randomised feasibility trial of the programme.

Katie said:

“It means a lot to win a prize that values all the long-term and careful relational work that goes into finding ways for people’s voices to influence research, as that work isn’t always so visible in academia.

“I’m really grateful to everyone who has been part of this journey with me and contributed to my development as a clinical academic.”

Dr Jonathan Evans, one of Katie’s supervisors at the University of Bristol, said:

“This prize is a wonderful recognition of Katie’s independent spirit and her distinctive, participatory approach to developing a new programme of research.

“We are all delighted for her.”

Alongside the £10,000 professional development award, Katie will have access to tailored leadership and development opportunities. She hopes the award will support the next stage of her career as an independent clinical academic and help her build further collaborations around her research.

The award reflects the NIHR’s commitment to supporting talented leaders across the breadth of health and care research careers, improving outcomes for patients and communities, tackling inequalities and strengthening the UK research system.

James Frith, Health Innovation Minister, said:

“Patients benefit most when our world-leading research delivers the latest innovations to those who need them, when they need them.

“That’s why we’re recognising 40 research leaders across England for their life-changing work transforming the care patients receive.

“This is our 10-Year Health Plan in action, bringing together the brilliance of British science with the power of our NHS.”

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

Find out more about the NIHR20 Research Leaders Prizes.