The National Institute for Health and Care Research has announced the appointment of Professor Wendy Baird as the next Dean of the NIHR Academy. She will also take on the senior role of NIHR Scientific Director for Research Capacity and Capabilities, beginning her tenure in September 2026 following the end of Professor Waljit Dhillo’s term.
Professor Baird is currently Professor of Health Services Research at the University of Sheffield and Managing Director for Research and Innovation at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. She has served as the NIHR Academy’s Associate Dean for Infrastructure and Capacity Building since October 2024.
With more than two decades of NIHR leadership experience, she has been a consistent champion of building national research capacity, particularly through her work within the Research Support Service.
Throughout her 20‑year NIHR career, Professor Baird has made major contributions to:
- Advancing patient‑centred research
- Embedding public involvement in research design and delivery
- Supporting the next generation of health researchers
- Strengthening efforts to tackle health inequalities across the UK
Her leadership has helped shape research practice across the NHS, public health and social care, contributing to improved outcomes and a more inclusive research landscape.
As Dean, Professor Baird will oversee the strategic development of the NIHR Academy and guide NIHR’s extensive research training and career development programmes. These programmes support researchers from predoctoral stages through to senior leadership, ensuring a strong, skilled and sustainable health and care research workforce.
Her priorities will include:
- Strengthening inclusive research career pathways
- Expanding access to NIHR training and development opportunities
- Ensuring programmes support researchers working across the NHS, public health and social care
- Developing a future‑ready research workforce aligned with the UK’s 10 Year Health Plan and Life Sciences Sector Plan
In her second role as NIHR Scientific Director for Research Capacity and Capabilities, Professor Baird will lead national strategy to ensure NIHR’s research capacity offer is inclusive, sustainable and aligned with government priorities.
Commenting on her new role, Professor Baird said:
“I am delighted to take on the role of NIHR Academy Dean and Scientific Director for Research Capacity and Capability. In my current role I have seen the importance of strong infrastructure, accessible support and clear career pathways in enabling people to build successful research careers. I look forward to working with colleagues across NIHR, DHSC and the wider research community to expand opportunities, strengthen inclusivity, and ensure that we continue to develop the skilled research workforce needed to address the health and care challenges and deliver against national priorities.”
This includes:
- Providing expert advice on research training policy
- Strengthening support for clinical, non‑clinical and practice‑based researchers
- Ensuring NIHR programmes contribute to the government’s health and growth missions
- Enhancing research capability across the health, social care and public health system
Professor Baird will work closely with the NIHR Academy, the Department of Health and Social Care, and NHS England, as well as national research funders and partners across health, social care and public health.
Leaders across the sector have welcomed the appointment, describing it as a significant step in ensuring that the UK continues to develop world‑class research capability and a diverse, highly skilled workforce.
NIHR Chief Executive Officer, Professor Lucy Chappell added:
"Our people are our greatest investment; ensuring we cultivate the next generation of world-leading researchers is vital if the UK is to remain a global leader in life sciences. As a former Research Professor and member of the NIHR Academy, I know first-hand that the Academy’s role is pivotal in building this talent pipeline, providing the essential training pathways for over 4,000 researchers annually to ensure the UK remains at the forefront of health innovation.
"I am delighted to welcome Wendy Baird into this role, and support her to develop these opportunities, ensuring we attract and support researchers from all backgrounds to deliver a lasting, positive impact for patients and the public, our workforce, and the broader health and care sector."
Her tenure is expected to support stronger pathways into research careers, widen participation and ensure the UK remains a global leader in health and care research innovation.
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