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This session was developed by the European Society of Radiology (ESR) Research Committee, chaired by Professor Olivier Clément (Paris/FR), and was titled How to foster clinical research in imaging departments (https://iii.hm/jj3). The session included a presentation from Professor Clément on the results of a recent ESR survey on European research, a presentation from Sabine Mallard on the successful approach to structuring a management unit for imaging research in the Bordeaux region, and Dr. Yan Liu, head of translational research, radiotherapy and imaging with the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC), gave the final presentation in the session on the implementation of quality imaging in multicentre trials, which was followed by a panel discussion with the audience. My contribution to the session was a presentation on the roles of radiographers in research. This contribution was based on my role as President of the European Federation of Radiographer Societies (EFRS), and I am also an active researcher. In this article I will touch on some of the discussion points arising from the ECR session, will discuss the important roles of radiographers in our research, and highlight some essential considerations if we truly want to establish a research culture, and foster clinical research, in our departments.
For us to undertake research of the highest quality there are a multitude of factors which can impact on this. Factors highlighted in the ECR session which can impact both positively and negatively on our research included:
• Access to funding • Career progression for researchers • Clinical engagement • Education and training in research • Evolving imaging techniques and technologies • Growing demand for clinical imaging services • Politics • Protected research time • Research capacity • Research infrastructure • Research opportunities Each of these factors can present both challenges and opportunities. Few research groups or research studies can escape the need to consider and engage with any one of these. The academic and clinical environments we work in vary considerably both nationally and internationally. Similarly, the professions directly involved in clinical imaging research, radiologists, radiographers, medical physicists and many more, will have varying backgrounds in terms of their education and training, their preparedness for research, and their roles, responsibilities, and scope of practice within some countries, and, certainly, between countries.
Research is not for everyone; not every clinical radiologist or radiographer is suited to be a researcher, nor do they all wish to be a researcher. We need radiologists and radiographers who are completely focused on the provision and development of quality imaging services. Likewise, not all academic faculty are suited to be researchers or crave involvement in research; there is a need for faculty who are dedicated