The prizes, which mark the NIHR’s 20th anniversary, celebrate talented leaders who are making an exceptional contribution to health and care research across the UK, improving outcomes for patients, tackling inequalities and driving economic growth across the country.
Dr Hammond, Senior Research Fellow in Infectious Disease Epidemiology at CAPC has been named one of 20 NIHR20 Research Delivery Leaders for her strong record in leading NIHR portfolio research across primary care, including developing a breakthrough Integrated Care Board (ICB)-level recruitment model for primary care randomised controlled trials that replaced practice-by-practice recruitment.
Ashley’s work on the NIHR-funded IPAP-UTI Programme uses routinely collected national antimicrobial surveillance data to measure trial outcomes, an innovative approach that demonstrates how surveillance data collected by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) can support similar large-scale applied research. Her earlier work on antimicrobial resistance informed World Health Organization reports and UK public health policy.
Dr Creavin, a GP and NIHR Clinical Senior Research Fellow at CAPC, has been named one of 20 NIHR20 Rising Research Leaders in recognition of on his work on improving the timely and accurate diagnosis of dementia and strengthening diagnostic decision-making in general practice.
Sam supports the development of early career researchers through supervision and mentoring, including Academic Clinical Fellows and postgraduate students. As a Co-Director of the Bristol Health Partners Dementia Health Integration Team, he helps build collaboration between people with lived experience, voluntary-sector organisations, researchers and NHS partners. He is committed to inclusive research and works with community organisations and people with lived experience to make research participation and communication more accessible.
As prize winners, both will receive a £10,000 professional development award, paid to the University of Bristol, alongside access to tailored leadership and development opportunities.
Dr Hammond said: “I’m really honoured to receive this award and for my contribution to developing new approaches to delivering research across the NHS to be recognised. Research delivery is very much a team effort, and our partnerships with Integrated Care Boards, UKHSA and colleagues across the NHS have been central to what we have achieved. My hope is that we can continue to build on this work to help reshape how large-scale trials are delivered across the NHS, enabling research to reach more patients and communities.”
Dr Creavin said: “I’m very honoured to receive this award. It recognises not only my work on improving dementia diagnosis in primary care, but also the collective efforts of patients, carers, family members, researchers, NHS colleagues and community partners who have helped build a more inclusive and impactful programme of research.”
James Frith, Health Innovation Minister, said: “Patients benefit most when our world-leading research delivers the latest innovations to those who need them, when they need them. That’s why we’re recognising 40 research leaders across England for their life-changing work transforming the care patients receive. This is our 10-Year Health Plan in action, bringing together the brilliance of British science with the power of our NHS.”
The award reflects NIHR's commitment to supporting talented leaders across the full breadth of health and care research careers, improving outcomes for patients, tackling inequalities and driving economic growth across the country.
A formal prize-giving ceremony will take place at the 2026 NIHR Academy Conference in October.
Find out more about the NIHR20 Research Leaders Prizes.