Marjorie Simpson New Researchers' award 2012

Alison Twycross speech announcing the winner of this award on 23 April 2012 in her role as editor of Evidence-Based Nursing. 

Alison commented "Marjorie Simpson died 20 years ago.  She was one of the founders of the research discussion group for nurses in the UK which eventually became the Royal College of Nursing's Research Advisory Group and so without her it is possible we wouldn't be sitting here today at the RCN's international nursing research conference.  Marjorie Simpson endeavoured to foster 'research-mindedness' among nurses and so it is appropriate that this award for new researchers is named after her."

"This is the first year Evidence-Based Nursing has sponsored the award and it is fitting for us to do so given the journal's role in raising research awareness among nurses."

Alison continued "I am delighted to present this year's winner with the award:  Seonaid MacKay for her study examining the use of telehealth to manage inflammatory bowel disease. Seonaid lives on the Island of Lewis in the western isles of Scotland.  She trained as an adult nurse in Edinburgh Royal Infirmary and as a midwife at the Raigmore Hospital, Inverness.  She works part time as a theatre nurse in the Western Isles Hospital and is completing her MRes at Stirling University.  The abstract she submitted for the award is based on her dissertation looking at the use of telehealth to improve clinical outcomes and patient satisfaction in flammatory bowel disease in a remote and rural population."

Details of the 2012 award winner can be found on the RCN Research Society award pages

About the award

  1. The RCN Research Society Marjorie Simpson New Researchers' Award is a prestigious annual award available to new or inexperienced researchers studying for a higher degree at masters or doctoral level. The award is a useful springboard to a research career
  2. The award will cover the cost of the RCN 2012 research conference fees, conference accommodation (2 nights) and up to £100 travel costs
  3. To qualify for the award, an applicant must be a member of the Royal College of Nursing Research Society
  4. Successful applicants will be required to submit a report of the annual international nursing research conference to the Research Society Steering Committee. This report may subsequently be submitted to Research Headlines, the weekly research e-bulletin of the RCN, and/or placed on the Research Society's website
  5. The judging panel comprises a professorial member of the Research Society (chair), a Fellow of the RCN, and a previous award holder.

Application process

Application for the award is to be no more than 750 words and is in three parts:

  1. An abstract of 200 words that provides an outline of the study (this should include its aims, methods, any findings to date, expected contribution to knowledge)
  2. A statement that indicates the likely impact of the research. This should be no more than 300 words and should focus on the impact on nursing practice, patient care and/or society
  3. A statement of support from their superviser for attendance at the conference, outlining the potential benefits to the applicant (250 words)

How to apply

Applicants should submit the following details marked: "RCN Research Society Marjorie Simpson New Researchers' award" by 4pm, Wed 28 March 2012 to marjoriesimpsonaward@rcn.org.uk. 

  • Name
  • Address
  • Email address
  • RCN membership number
  • Application document
  • An email from their supervisor confirming that the applicant is a current student of the institution

Applicants will be advised of results by 05 April 2012.

Criteria used to judge submissions

  1. Applicant must be a member of the Royal College of Nursing
  2. Applicant must be a member of the RCN Research Society
  3. Abstract and statements must be clearly expressed, concise and coherent and must not exceed the stated word limits
  4. All of the details requested have been supplied

Judging panel

Professor Julie Taylor (Chair)
Dr Janelle Yorke
Rod Thomson FRCN