Dr Catherine Bowen

My background is Podiatry and I am a Senior Lecturer at the University of Southampton UK with an Honorary Research contract at the University of Oxford UK. Rheumatology and musculoskeletal practice is a central significant aspect to my academic role and I co-lead the Masters in clinical research (MRes) that forms the foundation for the NIHR clinical academic training pathways for AHPs (Allied Health Professionals) nurses and midwives.
My current research investigates inflammatory and non-inflammatory arthritic manifestations within the foot and ankle via the use of gait technologies and diagnostic imaging techniques
http://soton.academia.edu/CatherineBowen. I lead the SOLLAR (Southampton – Oxford Lower limb Arthritis Research) Group that is embedded within the ‘musculoskeletal cluster’ of the Faculty of Health Sciences ‘Rehabilitation Health Technologies’ research grouphttp://www.southampton.ac.uk/healthsciences/research/clusters/musculoskeletal_projectcluster.page
Flexible career pathways for AHPs, nurses and midwives are a relatively exciting but new initiative and one that I have wholeheartedly welcomed. Alongside my research, in collaboration with Prof Anthony Redmond, University of Leeds and, funded by Arthritis Research UK I am extremely proud of the success of our internship programme.  It involved an innovative approach to the development of early career researchers within allied health professions and was acknowledged at the highest level from the Department of Health in the 2010 Advancing Healthcare Awards. Currently I am a key lead for the Southampton hub of the AHPRN (Allied Health Professions Network) and although now in academia, from my roots in clinical practice, I have continued to mentor clinicians to achieve success in their clinical academic careers as well as working with Professional bodies in embedding the translation of research into clinical practice.