Professor Wendy Baird

BSc Hons (London), PhD (London), MSc (Leicester)

Population Health, School of Medicine and Population Health

Director of NIHR Research Design Service for Yorkshire and the Humber

Professor of Health Services Research

Wendy Baird
Profile picture of Wendy Baird
w.o.baird@sheffield.ac.uk
+44 114 222 0819

Full contact details

Professor Wendy Baird
Population Health, School of Medicine and Population Health
Room 2.06, 2nd Floor
The Innovation Centre
217 Portobello
Sheffield
S1 4DP
Profile

I am currently the Director of Research for the Faculty of Health. I also lead the NIHR Research Design Service (RDS) for Yorkshire and Humber, supporting researchers develop and design high quality research proposals for submission to the NIHR and other national, peer-reviewed funding competitions for applied health or social care research. 

I originally trained in Biology and Environmental Health Sciences at King’s College London undertaking laboratory and field based work in China and Kenya during Doctoral studies. Undertaking further training at Masters level in health services research during an NHS Executive Postdoctoral Fellowship, gave the opportunity to transfer laboratory and epidemiological skills to the health care setting in the UK.

I have more than 25 years’ experience working as a Health Services Researcher to improve health outcomes. With extensive experience of qualitative research, which focuses on inequalities in health and access to health services for both those with chronic disabling diseases and those who are socially excluded from care.

Research interests

Research interest focuses on inequalities in health and access to health services for both those with chronic disabling diseases and those who are socially excluded from care.

  • Health inequalities
  • Health Services Research and Technology Assessment.
  • Public and patient involvement in research
Publications

Show: Featured publications All publications

Journal articles

Conference proceedings papers

  • Boote JD, Baird W & Sutton A () Public involvement in the design and conduct of clinical trials: a review. Third International Conference on Science in Society. Catholic University of America, Washington DC, 5 August 2011. RIS download Bibtex download

Reports

All publications

Journal articles

Conference proceedings papers

  • Beever D, Quinn A, Baird O, White S, Brading L, Hackney G & McDermott C (2022) CLT-38 Enabling effective public involvement: a case study of involvement in the HighCALS research programme. Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Degeneration, Vol. 22(suppl 2) (pp 171-171). Virtual, 7 December 2021 - 10 December 2021. RIS download Bibtex download
  • White S, Baird O, Beever D, Brading L, Coates E, Hackney G, Hartley H, Quinn A, Stavroulakis T, White D , Norman P et al (2021) CMS-55 Development of the OptiCALS nutritional support intervention for people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Degeneration, Vol. 22(sup2) (pp 232-233). Virtual conference, 7 December 2021 - 10 December 2021. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Simpson R, Julious SA & Baird WO (2017) An investigation of the factors which influence children with asthma having unscheduled medical contacts around the start of the new school year in England and Wales: a mixed methods study. TRIALS, Vol. 18 RIS download Bibtex download
  • Hill C, Baird W & Walters S (2016) Development of an osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) specific quality of life measure (OIQoL). Physiotherapy, Vol. 102 (pp e10-e11) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Baxter SK, Baird WO, Thompson S, Bianchi S, Walters S, Ahmedzai SH, Proctor A, Shaw PJ & McDermott CJ (2012) The Use of Non-Invasive Ventilation for Patients with Motor Neurone Disease: Patient and Carer Perceptions of Obstacles and Outcomes. ANNALS OF NEUROLOGY, Vol. 72 (pp S73-S74) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Boote JD, Baird W & Sutton A () Public involvement in the design and conduct of clinical trials: a review. Third International Conference on Science in Society. Catholic University of America, Washington DC, 5 August 2011. RIS download Bibtex download

Reports

Grants
  • NIHR PRU, Sculpher M, Wailoo A, Ara R, Baird W, Birks Y, Brazier J, Claxton K, Griffin S, Hernandez M, Palmer S, Peasgood T, Rowen D, Weatherly H. (2019-2023) Economic Methods of Evaluation in Health and Social Care Interventions (EEPRU-II). £4,999,990. 
  • NIHR, Baird WO, Dixon S, Brown J, Torgerson D, Walters S, Birks Y, Twiddy M, Boote J, Hulme C, Richardson G, Young TA, Wailoo A. (2013 - 2018) Yorkshire and Humber Research Design Service. £5,250,000
  • NIHR HTA, McDermott C, Cooper CL, Dixon, S, Shaw P, Baird WO, Bradburn M, Fitgerald P, Williams T, Talbot K, Bianchi S, Bourke S, Ealing J, Bentley A, Stradling J, Ackroyd R, Baudouin S, Morrison K, Mustfa N, Maynard N, Galloway S, Karat D. (2011-2015) A Randomised Controlled Trial in patients with Respiratory Muscle Weakness due to Motor Neurone Disease of the NeuRx RA/4 Diaphragm Pacing Trial (DiPALS). £1,354,195
  • NIHR i4i, McDermott C, Heath R, Clarke Z, Heron N, Langley J, Quinn A, Baird WO (2012-2014) The development of novel cervical orthosis to support neck weakness due to neurological disease (HEAD UP). £387,202
  • MNDA / SITraN McDermott C, Shaw P, Stavroulakis T, Baird WO. (2011-2013) A Prospective Multi-Centre Evaluation of Gastrostomy in Patients with Motor Neurone Disease (MND). £90,000
  • UCB, Reuber M, Baird WO, Blank L. (2011-2013) Specialist epilepsy services for older adults: A qualitative study. £17,500
  • NIHR RfPB McDermott C, Shaw P, Ahmedza S, Baird WO, Nixon H. (2009-2013) Non invasive ventilation (NIV) in motor neurone disease: Establishing current use, identifying obstacles and developing pathways for optimising care. £223,244
  • NIHR RfPB, Reuber M, House H, Brown R, Kemp S, Cock H, Smith P, Baird WO, Shaw P. (2009-2012) Non-epileptic Seizures Treatment (NEST) study: an evaluation of the feasibility of a randomised controlled trial of a psycho-educational intervention. £220,000
Professional activities and memberships
  • Director NIHR RDS YH
  • Faculty Medicine Dentistry and Health Director for Research and Innovation  
  • Member NIHR PPI Programme Board 
  • Member NIHR Public Health Oversight Group  
  • Member NIHR D4D MIC Steering Committee 
  • Member NIHR Incubator for Methodology Steering Group  
  • Member NIHR Academy Forum 
  • Member ISCF Accelerating the Detection of Disease Advisory Board  
  • Member Northern Health Sciences Alliance Council 
  • Member YH Academic Health Sciences Network Board 
  • Member HDR UK North Oversight Board 
  • Member Review panel for evaluation and renewal of the Irish Health Research Board Trials Methodology Research Network (HRB-TMRN)  
  • Member University Sheffield’s Senate; Research and Innovation Committee, and Academic Workforce Planning Strategic Oversight Group 
  • Member Doncaster Placed Based Research Partnership Group  
  • Chair NIHR Development Skills and Enhancement Award Panel 
  • Chair NIHR HTA DISC Trial Steering Committee 
  • Chair NIHR HTA SWIFT Trial Steering Committee 
  • Chair NIHR HTA SOFFT Trial Steering Committee