Staff from Keele University’s Clinical Trials Unit (CTU) have thanked the thousands of volunteers who help make their pioneering healthcare research possible, as they took part in an international day of celebration this week. 

To mark International Clinical Trials Day 2024 on Monday (3rd June), the team have held a series of engaging outreach events in North Staffordshire designed to foster community involvement and awareness of their work, beginning with a visit to Newcastle Library, followed by an outreach event at Tesco Trent Vale.  

These outreach activities gave researchers the chance to facilitate meaningful conversations with the public about the significance of health research, with demonstrations of a simulated trial giving insights into the meticulous process of conducting a real trial. 

In collaboration with Midlands Partnership University Foundation Trust, Keele CTU has also organised sessions in local schools to highlight the importance of clinical trials, research ethics, and potential careers in health research. The response has been positive, with sessions giving pupils a taster of what the team do, which also helps the students prepare for their Biology GCSE.  

Dr Ivonne Solis-Trapala, the Director of Keele CTU, said: “It’s vital to inspire young people to pursue careers in healthcare research. Nurturing the next generation of researchers isn’t just about advancing medical science, it’s about collaborating with the public to improve patient outcomes and enhance community well-being.” 

Keele CTU supports the design, conduct, analysis, and reporting of clinical trials and other high quality health research studies, investigating new treatments for a wide range of conditions like musculoskeletal pain, osteo- and rheumatoid arthritis and gout, mental health, and renal failure.