What Does a Research Lead Actually Do? Reflections From the Emergency Department Frontline

An active and thriving research programme is critical to the sustainability of an emergency department. It contributes to maintaining a healthy curiosity amongst clinicians and ensures that clinical practices are challenged and calibrated against evidence-based practices. The role of a research lead in emergency medicine extends beyond the research program alone. Recognising the importance of shaping the research culture, mentoring novice researchers across all streams and building research capacity are paramount to the success of a research programme. The research lead must pursue a strategic vision for research which includes strengthening systems and structures that enable researchers, both novice and experienced, across all disciplines to participate in high leverage practice changing research activities, with a view to embedding a research culture into day-to-day clinical practice.