Child Health Outcomes Research at Leeds (CHORAL) has appointed Professor Niina Kolehmainen as its first Clinical Academic Health and Care Professions Chair, marking a major step forward for child health research in Leeds and nationally.
Professor Kolehmainen brings more than 20 years of experience across clinical practice, research and leadership in child health. Beginning her career as an occupational therapist, she has worked in paediatric services, acute and community mental health, and research settings, building a reputation for driving meaningful improvements in outcomes for children and young people.
She joins CHORAL from Newcastle University, where she led large multidisciplinary research programmes focused on improving outcomes for children with health and developmental challenges.
Her appointment represents a significant milestone, not only for CHORAL but also for the wider clinical academic community.
Professor Kolehmainen said:
“This is the first time that there has been a post like this – a combined clinical academic job that I could actually apply for. Throughout my career it’s been the case of creating opportunities through research funding. Nationally, this role is genuinely innovative and forward-looking.
“Leeds is the only place that has been involved consistently in all of my research projects. There has always been a depth of commitment, interest and shared leadership here. Nationally, Leeds has built something really special over many years, and CHORAL provides an opportunity to connect that work in new ways.
“People here are doing things for the right reasons. There’s an honesty, authenticity and focus on improving outcomes for children that is incredibly appealing.”
Having collaborated with colleagues in Leeds for more than 15 years, Professor Kolehmainen said the city’s commitment to advancing child health research played a decisive role in her decision to take up the post.
CHORAL’s research activity spans Leeds Children’s Hospital and community settings delivered in partnership with Leeds Community Healthcare NHS Trust. The programme brings together clinical expertise, academic research and the experiences of children and families to ensure studies reflect real-world care and priorities.
According to Professor Kolehmainen, CHORAL’s collaborative culture and shared ambition to improve outcomes for children were central to her decision to join the organisation.
Throughout her career, her work has been shaped by a fundamental question: what children and families want to achieve in their everyday lives and how health and care services can support them to do so.
Her research focuses on everyday activities that influence children’s wellbeing, rather than specific conditions alone. Areas of interest include sleep, play, independence and participation in daily life, all of which play a crucial role in healthy development.
More recently, her work has centred on younger children and the opportunities for prevention and early intervention among those experiencing health challenges in the earliest stages of life.
A key priority in her new role will be enhancing support for children and families beyond hospital environments. This includes research and innovation delivered in homes and community settings through partnerships with Leeds Community Healthcare NHS Trust, as well as children’s research undertaken through the NIHR Clinical Research Facility: Leeds.
Alongside developing her own research portfolio, Professor Kolehmainen is passionate about supporting the next generation of clinical and practitioner researchers.
As one of a relatively small number of allied health professionals to establish a successful research career in child health, she has spent much of her career helping others pursue academic opportunities, mentoring and supervising colleagues both in Leeds and across the UK.
Looking ahead, she believes CHORAL can become a national hub for multidisciplinary child health research.
Professor Kolehmainen added:
“What’s really exciting about CHORAL is the potential to create a home for people from many different backgrounds to conduct research, from allied health professionals, nurses, healthcare scientists, methodologists, data scientists and many others.
“By bringing together people at every stage of their careers, from students through to senior researchers, we can create the kind of community that drives innovation and ultimately improves outcomes for children and families.”
Her appointment signals CHORAL’s commitment to strengthening collaboration between healthcare, academia and communities, while creating new opportunities for clinical researchers and improving the lives of children and families across the region and beyond.
Image credit: Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
