The Winifred Raphael Memorial public Lecture (WRML) is one of the main events in the RCN Research Society calendar. Thanks to Mrs Raphael's family who launched the memorial fund, and to all those involved since, the lecture is an event which often draws together a variety of nurses from different nursing and geographical areas.

The lecture itself has evolved in 3 stages. From 1981 - 1993, the annual lecture took place in London, England. With a 1995 lecture, there then followed a break of 5 years before the lecture was reinstated as an evening lecture within RCN Congress between 2001 - 2006. After the 2006 lecture, it was decided to encourage the regional groups of the RCN Research Society to take turns in hosting the event. The lecture became a public one in 2011, and since 2015, the RCN Foundation has supported the annual lecture.

No lecture

Dangerous liaisons? The myth of mental illness and risk

Patrick Callaghan, Professor of Mental Health Nursing, University of Nottingham

10 October 2016, Nottingham, England, UK

Who wants to lead? Exploring perceptions of a crisis in nursing leadership

Bridie Kent

Professor in Leadership, University of Plymouth

20 October 2015, London, England, UK

Quality nursing care: what makes a difference?

Professor Linda Aiken
University of Pennsylvania

1 October 2014, Pontypridd, Wales

The personal impact of Mary Seacole: her life, my research and the Memorial Statue Appeal

Emerita Professor Elizabeth Anionwu
Thames Valley University

2012, Wolverhampton, England

Lost in translation: the Art and Science of using evidence in practice

Dr Kate Seers
RCN Research Institute, University of Warwick

2010

• 2008. Clinical trials and clinical research in cancer: a nursing perspective, Professor Karen Cox, University of Nottingham
• 2007. A short history of nursing ethics, Professor Martin Johnson, University of Salford
• 2006. Writing for publication, Professor Christine Webb, University of Plymouth
• 2005. The patients' perspective and research dilemmas, Felicity Stockwell
• 2004. Evidence Based Practice: does profusion of evidence mean confusion in practice, Professor Hugh McKenna, Ulster University
• 2003. Nursing development, memes and the science of chaos, Dr Mike Walsh, St Martin's College
• 2002. Evidence Based Practice: unravelling the rhetoric and making it real?, Professor Kate Gerrish, University of Sheffield
• 2001. Clinical competence: Starship Enterprise or straitjacket?, Professor Roger Watson, University of Hull

• 1996-2000. No lecture
• 1995. Research and the configuration of nursing services, Karen Luker
• 1994. No lecture
• 1993. Nursing research in Europe, Alison Tierney
• 1992. Rigour and reality: the paradox of nursing research, Jane Robinson
• 1991. Of graduates and king's, Jack Hayward
• 1990. The study of nursing care, Baroness McFarlane of Llandaff
• 1989. Bridges of opportunity - research linking nursing practice, education and management, Pat Ashworth
• 1988. And research is always incomplete, Tom Keighley
• 1987. 'Remember with advantages' - research efforts gone before, Doreen Norton
• 1986. Nursing research - possibilities and options, Christine Hancock
• 1985. Nursing and measurement, Senga Bond
• 1984. Key functions in nursing, Jennifer Wilson-Barnett
• 1983. Miss Nightingale's vision of a nursing profession, Joyce Prince
• 1982. The consumer's voice: nursing implications, Annie T Altschul
• 1981. If I could alter one thing, H. Marjorie Simpson

Publication

The 1981-1990 lectures have been collated into a book, "'They speak for themselves' - the Winifred Raphael Memorial Lectures 1981-1990", a copy of which is located in the RCN Library and Heritage Centre.