The Research Room

How can software development and custom tech solutions help clinical trials run smoothly and keep research reproducible?

This week on The Research Room, we're joined by software developers Tom Pool and Anthony Wishart to explore how tech powers high-impact healthcare research at the York Trials Unit (YTU).

We chat about custom randomisation systems, dynamic follow-up tools, and internal platforms like PORTFOLIO and the NIHR Research Support Service (RSS) web tools. Tom and Anthony unpack the reality of building bespoke software for clinical trials, how they balance AI tools with the necessity of "squishy human" oversight, and their unconventional routes into software development.

Plus, Anthony and Tom tackle the random hat questions, from reflecting on their school days and ideal superpowers to revealing their go-to karaoke choices and their job's official theme song.

We also crack open Tom’s egg-celent side project, Yolk Local, an interactive map connecting egg lovers with rescued battery hens and local honesty stalls!

Find out more about YTU here: https://www.york.ac.uk/health-sciences/research/trials/ 

Check out Yolk Local! https://www.yolklocal.co.uk/ 

Music by Matthew Bailey

2026 marks 30 years of the York Trials Unit! So to celebrate we are revisiting a special episode from earlier this year.

Have you ever wondered what it really takes to run a clinical trial? This week in The Research Room, we kick off 2026 by going behind the scenes of the York Trials Unit (YTU). We are joined by Director Professor Catherine Hewitt and Deputy Director Dr. Jude Watson to discover exactly what a trials unit does and why trials are so important.

From the history of the unit to the importance of the "Gold Standard" Randomised Control Trial, Catherine and Jude explain how their multidisciplinary team improves patient care one study at a time. Whether you are an aspiring researcher or simply interested in how research improves patient care, this episode reveals the teamwork behind the science.

Resources from this episode:

Find out more about York Trials Unit here: https://www.york.ac.uk/healthsciences/research/trials/ 

Music by Matthew Bailey

How can research help people living with painful, persistent leg ulcers receive the best possible care?

This week we're joined by Professor Jo Dumville and Catherine Arundel to explore VenUS-6, a major clinical trial investigating treatments for venous leg ulcers and this time we have results!

We chat about the study and the 25 years of research that came before it, what the findings reveal about healing times, cost-effectiveness and patient preferences, and why the results matter for patients, nurses and the NHS.

Plus Catherine and Jo tackle the random hat questions, from imagining “Venusopoly” to revealing their karaoke choices and essential research fuel.

Find our more about the study: https://www.york.ac.uk/health-sciences/research/trials/ytutrialsandstudies/dissemination/venus6/ 

Read the full results paper: https://journals.plos.org/plosmedicine/article?id=10.1371/journal.pmed.1005154 

We are taking a quick summer break, so there is no new research project to share this week! However, our back catalog is full of great trials and conversations. We share a few of our favourite past episodes for you to binge while we’re away, plus a sneak peek at what’s coming up next.

We'd love ot hear from you! Email us at: [email protected] or get in touch via our website www.theresearchroompodcast.co.uk 

Music by Matthew Bailey

How can we ensure health research truly represents everyone in our society?

Join us this week in The Research Room as we sit down with Dr Suman Prinjha, Lorraine Lawrence, and Tahsin Tabassum to explore the fantastic work of the Centre for Health Research Inclusion (CHERI) at the University of York.

We go behind the scenes to see how CHERI is working hard to improve representation of underserved groups in health research and dive into their work on the NIHR-funded UPTURN study, which is co-designing tailored support to improve pulmonary rehabilitation uptake for people living with COPD. Whether you are a researcher, healthcare professional, or simply curious about how building community trust leads to better healthcare for all, this conversation is packed with practical insights you won't want to miss.

Plus, stick around to find out our guests' secret skills and which classic Goonies line they live by!

Find out more about CHERI: https://www.york.ac.uk/health-sciences/research/health-research-inclusion/

What does "safe" AI actually mean in healthcare?

When you think of artificial intelligence, you might picture chatbots or sci-fi robots. But right now, AI is quietly working behind the scenes in everyday healthcare, spotting strokes, reading lung scans, and helping doctors detect issues during routine procedures. This week we're chatting to Dr. Laura Fernley about her work investigating the ethical side of this clinical integration: asking whether the tech being introduced is truly ethical, how we evaluate its safety, and what we actually mean when we call an AI system "safe".

Plus we find out how modern philosophy isn't all about arguing with Aristotle!

Find out more about The Centre of Assuring Autonomy: https://www.york.ac.uk/assuring-autonomy/ 

Find out more about Laura's Work: https://laurafearnley.wordpress.com/ 

Music by Matthew Bailey

We're taking a summer holiday this week re-sharing one of our favourite episodes from last year, The BioDrive AFS trial!

Last year were joined by Professor David Allsup and Lydia Flett to discuss the BioDrive AFS study. We learn how the trial is tackling the tricky issue of fungal infections in blood cancer patients and exploring how biomarker-driven approaches could revolutionise treatment.

Plus, stick around to hear what research superpowers David and Lydia would pick!

Resources & Links from this Episode:

Find out more about BioDrive AFS here: https://biodrive-rct.com/ 

To get in touch with the BioDrive AFS team, email: [email protected] 

Can creative arts break down the barriers surrounding young men’s mental health?

This week Lucy, Janine and guest host Hayley Stone sit down with Emma Standley, Matt Harper-Hardcastle, and Dr Jack Woodhams to discuss the Next Gen Menfulness Project. Discover how an exciting partnership between University of York researchers, Next Door But One Theatre Company and a men's mental health charity Menfulness is empowering young men in alternative provision schools to tell their own stories, challenge negative stereotypes, and shape future research. The team tackles the big conversations around boys' mental health, sharing how important positive role models and genuine connections are for shaping the next generation of men.

Join us as we trace their journey from the WhatsApp group to 10 Downing Street, and now into The Research Room!

Find out more about Menfulness: https://menfulness.org/

Find out more about Next Door But One: https://www.nextdoorbutone.co.uk/ 

Music by Matthew Bailey

What happens when the podcast hosts step out from behind the mic and into the guest seat?

In this special first birthday episode of The Research Room, co-hosts Lucy Atha and Janine Heeley from the York Trials Unit at the University of York join podcast intern Hayley Stone to celebrate a whole year of chatting with a purpose!

Listen as Hayley interviews Lucy and Janine about their journey creating the podcast, their favourite past episodes, and the behind-the-scenes recording mishaps they’ve navigated along the way. Looking to the future, they discuss their dream guests and aims of interviewing researchers across other university departments. Stay tuned until the very end to hear Lucy and Janine play a game of “who’s more likely to?” and find out which beverage and cake flavour best represent the podcast!

A huge thank you to all of our incredible previous guests and listeners who have tuned in and supported us over the past year!

Music by Matthew Bailey

How can cutting-edge augmented reality glasses transform traditional physiotherapy into engaging games for people living with Parkinson’s disease?

In this episode, Lucy and Janine are joined by Chief Investigator Professor Rory O'Connor from the University of Leeds and Barri Morgan Jones from Strolll to explore the RESTART-PD project. This innovative research initiative focuses on an essential clinical and digital health priority: improving movement, balance, and daily function for individuals living with Parkinson's disease.

Listen as we discuss the journey of utilising augmented reality headsets to turn standard, often repetitive rehabilitation exercises into fun, patient-centred games that can be played right at home. We discover the personal inspiration behind the Strolll technology behind this randomised controlled trial, and how remote clinical monitoring through a web portal dashboard can help support rehabilitation and tackle extensive NHS waiting lists.

Find out more about the RESTART-PD Trial: https://www.york.ac.uk/health-sciences/research/trials/ytutrialsandstudies/trials/restartpd/

Find out more about Strolll: https://www.strolll.co/

Music by Matthew Bailey