Professor Amy Grove

"Bridging the gap between evidence and practice"

Professor Amy Grove, one of our 125th Anniversary Chairs, shares her experience of relocating an entire research institution to Birmingham. We sat down with Amy to find out more about why she chose the University of Birmingham, and the opportunities she has been presented with since joining us. 

I joined the University of Birmingham in January 2025 as an Anniversary Chair in Implementation Science to found the research Centre for Evidence and Implementation Science (CEIS). Our research centre has transformed research into real-world impact by creating lasting change for health, care, and communities worldwide.

I was drawn to the University of Birmingham because it is embedded in one of the largest health and care ecosystems in the country. The University’s strong links with NHS trusts, policymakers, and community organisations have also been invaluable, enabling me to test ideas in partnership with those who will ultimately use them. I am now co-located with some of the leading health and care services and industry partners to facilitate collaboration. The Centre for Evidence and Implementation Science can bridge the gap between evidence and practice, empowering the health and care sector to deliver better outcomes. From evaluating breakthrough technologies to building sector-wide capacity, we can drive innovation, shape healthier systems, and create lasting change across the UK and beyond. We turn insight into action, and action into excellence.

What attracted me most to the University of Birmingham was its strong reputation for interdisciplinary collaboration and its investment in applied research that does not stop at generating knowledge, but actively shapes policy, practice, and patient care. The 125th Anniversary Fellows and Chairs scheme provided the ideal platform for me and my growing team through its supportive environment, where early-career researchers are encouraged to think ambitiously about both impact and research methods.

Relocating for a new role can be daunting, especially when you ask your colleagues to move with you. But the University has been incredibly proactive in making the transition smooth. From practical relocation support to tailored career development programmes, I felt welcomed and valued from the start. The mentoring structures and training opportunities have been particularly important, giving me access to senior academics and practitioners who share insights on navigating the complexities of academic and translational work.

One of the aspects I have appreciated most is the range of opportunities the role has provided. Access to internal funding schemes has allowed me to launch inaugural training programmes, conferences and regional pilots that lay the groundwork for future large-scale research applications. An early highlight has been securing funding with colleagues across other colleges to examine how digital health interventions can be integrated into primary care. This work has already generated exciting insights and has opened doors to cross-disciplinary collaborations across the University. I am also excited about building new partnerships with international networks in Implementation Science, which Birmingham actively supports through its global research strategy.

Looking ahead, I hope my research will contribute to reducing the evidence-to-practice gap that persists in health and care. Too often, effective interventions fail to reach the people who could benefit most, or they lose impact once scaled up. By focusing on practical strategies for adoption, adaptation, and sustainability, I aim to ensure that evidence-based solutions have real-world staying power. Birmingham actively encourages this outward-looking orientation, and I have already benefited from opportunities to engage with clinicians, commissioners, and patients to co-produce meaningful research.

Reflecting on the culture here, I have found leadership to be both ambitious and inclusive. There is a genuine commitment to creating an environment where researchers can thrive and where impact is taken seriously. The emphasis is not only on producing rigorous science but also on building a collaborative and supportive community where ideas can be challenged and refined constructively. For someone working in Implementation Science, where collaboration across sectors is essential, this culture has been especially energising.

For prospective 125th Anniversary Fellows and Chairs, I would say this: if you are looking for a university that will invest in you as much as in your research, Birmingham is an excellent choice. The combination of supportive structures, outstanding facilities, and a vibrant, impact-driven research culture creates an environment where you can not only imagine ambitious research but also have the means to bring it to life.