Overview

Professor Sallie Lamb is the Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Executive Dean for the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences.

Sallie is an internationally recognised scholar in ageing, disability and rehabilitation. She is also an experienced methodologist in the area of clinical trials and high quality evaluation of health care practice. 

She was previously the Director of the Centre for Statistics in Medicine, Oxford Clinical Trials Research Unit and Centre for Rehabilitation Research at the University of Oxford. In 2020 Sallie served as a panel member and inter-disciplinary expert for the Higher Education Funding Council of England Research Excellence Framework assessment phase. She has served as a Chair of the Health Technology Assessment Board and other senior roles in National Institute of Health Research and is a Trustee of the Versus Arthritis charity.  

She is Director of the recently established NIHR Exeter Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) and Deputy Director of the NIHR National School for Primary Care and is Primary Investigator on a number of significant NIHR funded research projects. She is theme lead for the rehabilitation strand of the NIHR Exeter BRC's research portfolio, which includes research on Multiple Long Term Conditions (MLTC). 

Sallie has a strong commitment to improving the lives of older people through excellent research that answers difficult questions and can inform policy making and commissioning. She works to ensure research is translated into practice and to drive up the quality of methods and reporting used in medical research. Sallie has mentored and supervised many early career scientists, and is a strong advocate for team working and gender equality in the work place.

Grants/Funding:

• NIHR ARC National Priorities – Ageing, Dementia and Frailty, NIHR Applied Research Collaboration (ARC) National Priorities, 26808, £1,875,000, 01 October 2020 – 30 September 2023. CI Prof Helen Roberts, co-applicant SE Lamb.
• NIHR School for Primary Care Research, The University of Exeter, NIHR School for Primary Care Research, NIHR201798, value tbc, 1 April 2021 – 31 March 2026, CI J Campbell, Co-applicant SE Lamb.
• GEMINI - Genetic Evaluation of Multimorbidity towards INdividualisation of Interventions, UKRI-NIHR Strategic Priorities Fund, MR/V005359/1, £985,691, May 2020 – 31 October 2020. CI T Fraling, Co-applicant SE Lamb.
• PROCURE - Partial Rotator Cuff Tear Repair Trial, NIHR HTA, NIHR128043, £1,483,587.80, 01/01/2020 – 28/02/2029, CI SE Lamb.
• CBT-O - Cognitive Behavioural Therapy: An overview of systematic reviews and meta-analyses 2017 – 2019 NIHR HTA £405,087.74
• PEP-TALK: A behaviour change physiotherapy intervention to increase physical activity following hip and knee replacement: a pragmatic randomised controlled trial. NIHR Research for Patient Benefit – Competition 32 (Ref: PB-PG-1216-20008). £350,000.
• Risk-benefit and costs of unicompartmental (compared to total) knee replacement for patients with multiple co-morbidities: a non-randomised study, and different novel approaches to minimise confounding. £268,076. NIHR HTA (2017-2019)
• Anterior Shoulder Dislocation: using routine data to track outcomes. NIHR HTA £790,000
• ACL-SNAPP A randomised controlled trial of anterior ligament reconstruction versus conservative management (NIHR –HTA £1.4 million)
• SPPARK – Study of Peri-articular anaesthetic replacement of the knee. RfPB 2016 – 2019 £349,745
• UK-STAR – UK Study of tendo Achilles Rehabilitation multicentre randomised clinical trial NIHR HTA 2016-2019 £1,026,890
• GRASP. Getting Shoulder Pain Right. NIHR HTA. £1.3 million Sept 2016
• BOOST – Better Outcomes for Older People with Spinal Trouble (BOOST) NIHR Programme Grants 2014-2017 £1,999,934.00
• RIDD Repurposing anti-TNF for treating Duputren’s Disease. Health Innovation Challenge, Wellcome Trust. 2014-2018 £1,306,468.78
• UK FROST (United Kingdom Frozen Shoulder Trial) NIHR HTA 2014-2019 £1,706,599
• PATH2 Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) in Achilles Tendon Rupture (ATR) Healing NIHR EME 2014-2018 £823,488.00
• CORKA Community based rehabilitation after knee Arthroplasty (CORKER). NIHR HTA 01/04/13 – 51 months £1,482,960
• PROSPER Exercise to prevent shoulder conditions in patients undergoing breast cancer treatment: NIHR HTA  2014-2018 £1,562.020
• PROVE Physiotherapy Rehabilitation for Osteoporotic VErtebral fracture trial (PROVE) NIHR HTA 2013-2016 £1,272,201
• BREATHE Protocolised trial of invasive and non-invasive weaning off ventilation NIHR HTA 2013-2017 £1,278,762
• PURAK: Wearable Devices for Distal Arm Functionality. Wellcome Trust UK India Fund
• FixDT ‘Locking' plate fixation versus intramedullary nail fixation in displaced fracture of the distal tibia? NIHR HTA 2013-2017 £1,202,245.00
• WOLFF - RCT of standard of care wound management versus negative pressure wound therapy in open fractures of the lower limb NIHR HTA 2012-2017 £746,562
• PDSAFE – A randomised controlled trial of the effectiveness of PDSAFE to prevent falls among people with Parkinson's Disease NIHR HTA 2012-2016 £2,777,037
• SPRAINED – A prognostic tool to aid clinical management decisions in acute ankle sprain NIHR HTA 09/2014 – 02/2017 £820,996.72
• Randomized trial of a multi-factorial fall injury prevention strategy: A joint initiative of PCORI and the National Institute on Ageing of the National Institute of Health (US). Basin, Gill, Reuben. $29,999,787
• ACTIvATeS – active treatment for idiopathic adolescent scoliosis – a feasibility study. NIHR HTA 09/2011 – 08/2013 £306,185
• Randomised trial of a multifaceted podiatry intervention for fall prevention. NIHR HTA 09/2010 – 02/2014 £1,107,109
• Maintained physical activity and physiotherapy in the management of distal arm pain. 01/2011 – 01/2015. £666,650
• DAPA – Physical activity programmes for community dwelling people with mild to moderate dementia. NIHR HTA. 04/2011 – 09/2015. £1.78 million
• Pre-FIT – Prevention of Fall Related Injury Trial: NIHR HTA. £2.9 million. 2010 – 2015
• DRAFFT – a randomised controlled trial of percutaneous fixation with Kirschner wires versus volar locking-plate fixation in displaced fractures of the distal radius. NIHR HTA £1,687,620. 07/2010 – 12/2013
• SARAH – Exercises for arthritis of the hands. NIHR HTA £976,955.70
• PARAMEDIC (1): A randomised controlled trial of mechanical compression device for the management of cardiac arrest in the pre-hospital setting: NiHR HTA £2,176,562. 2008-2013
• AIM - Comparison of close contact casting (CCC) technique to open surgical internal fixation (ORIF) in the treatment of unstable ankle fractures in patients over 60 years. NCCHTA - £2,408,961
• OPERA – Older people’s exercise intervention in residential & nursing accommodation. HTA £1,894,889. 2007-2010
• OSCAR – RCT of high frequency oscillatory ventilation in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome. HTA £1,346,308. 2007-2012
• MINT – RCT of the clinical & cost effectiveness of a stepped care approach following acute whiplash injury. £746,562. NCCHTA. 2004-2008
• BEST - RCT to estimate the effectiveness of a cognitive-behavioural programme for the management of low back pain. £1,240,000. NCCHTA. 2003-2008
• NIHR Research Methods Fellowship for Jessica Smith. DH – NCCRCD, 01/09/2009 – 31/08/2012. £135,422
• UK Heel Fracture Trial (UK HeFT) – Clinical Studies Grant £78,911.02, ARC
• Allied Health Professional Training Fellowship, Mrs Rebecca Kearney, ARC, £124,580 – 48 months
• Research Development Fund (Warwick University) - £20,725. Complexity Science and Health
• West Midlands South Comprehensive Research Network (CRN) funding - £66,000 to support trial development within the Clinical Trials Unit.
• Balti Prevention – To examine the role of B2 agonists as specific pharmacotherapy for the prevention and treatment of ARDS. DoH £489,161. 2007-2012
• Clinical Research Infrastructure and Trials Platform – Science City. 22/09/2009 – 31/03/2012. £4,000,000
• Wolfson Foundation. New building for Warwick Clinical Trials Unit. Start up fund £1,000,000.00
• Stroke Research Network – to recruit/line manage 2.0 research facilitators. Department of Health UKCRN - £147,076. 2007-2008
• Fallers – Evaluation of falls clinics, 2006-2007. Department of Health Service Delivery and Organisation - £79,637
• UK Heel Trial – A randomised comparison of surgical versus conservative management of calcaneal fractures. Arthritis Research Council. £498,000. Additional funding for work supplementary to the ProFANE workplan - £14,344, Jan 2005
• Trial extension grant: Collaborative Ankle Support Trial. £53,600 August 2004
• The attitudes of health professionals to giving advice on fitness to drive: Department for Transport –£282,933
• A randomised controlled trial of incentives to promote completion of postal questionnaires. NCCHTA £8,775. 2006-2008        
• Influence of ankle skin perfusion or fracture treatment outcomes in older people: AO Research Foundation, Switzerland. £56,533. September 2003 – September 2005.
• PROFANE – European Thematic Network Application for the Prevention of Falls. Total bid Euro = 1,900,000.00 2002-2006. Award confirmed July 2002. Lamb co-investigator/Theme Lead
• TPRAC trial (The treatment of painful arc): A pilot study. £34,000.00 Physiotherapy Research Foundation. Award confirmed March 2002-03-12
• CAST - A randomised controlled trial to estimate the clinical and cost effectiveness of four different methods of mechanical support in severe ankle sprains. £ 388,142. 2002-2005. Awarded by the Health Technology Assessment programme of the NHS
• Group treatment: An acceptable and effective method of physiotherapy provision for female urinary incontinence? Physiotherapy Research Foundation £49,500.00 Award confirmed March 2002
• Falls research & development officer. Coventry City Council/ Coventry Health £77,000.00
• Evaluation of physiotherapy treatment for patients with low back pain. A multi-centred randomised controlled trial comparing manual therapy and exercise with back care advice. Arthritis Research Campaign £86,523.00 in total. (April 2000)
• Prioritisation and management of patients on elective surgery waiting lists. Oxford Health Authority Project grant. £45,000. 1998-1999
• The Exeter Hip Study: Long term outcome of hip replacement using the Exeter Hip Prosthesis. Stryker/Howmedica. £110,000. 1997-1999
• An evaluation of the Thames Valley Health Walks Scheme. Countryside Commission/British Heart Foundation. By tender £110,000.00. 1997- 2000
• Prevention of falls and fall related injuries in older people. Harkness Fellowship. $75,000. 1995-1996.
• A randomised controlled trial of patterned neuromuscular stimulation in the rehabilitation after proximal femoral fracture. Research into Ageing Project grant. £10,000. 1992-1993.

Qualifications

1. Doctor of Philosophy (Medicine) 1997

   Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford.

2. Master of Science (Rehabilitation) 1991, awarded with Distinction.

    University of Southampton

3. Master of Arts 2008

    University of Oxford

4. Post graduate certificate in Statistics 2005

     Department of Statistics and Probability, University of Sheffield

5. Graduate Diploma in Physiotherapy 1986, merit in practical examination.

      Salford School of Physiotherapy.

Research group links

• Institute of Health Research

Back to top

---

Research

Research interests

Theme 1: Helping older people to feel fit, well and able to participate in society

Ageing is changing and many older people want work, participate in sport and leisure activity, and be active in family life and community. Sallie is involved in research to promote vitality, longevity and good health in old age. She has used high quality research methods to develop and evaluate interventions to reduce pain and improve mobility, function and cognition. She has worked with economists to understand the costs of health conditions to older people, their families and society, and to identify cost-effective treatment options for the NHS. She is currently working on interventions to improve and prevent falls and fractures, dementia, to tackle pain and problems of movement and mobility of the skeleton in later life. 

Theme 2: Research methods and quality

Sallie is an experienced clinical trialist and has expertise in the statistics, conduct and governance of clinical and public health trials.  She is part of a global group who aim to improve the reporting of interventions tested in clinical trials so that they can be replicated by other researchers and used by clinicians and patients. She has also contributed to the work of CONSORT (Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials), and is publishing in the area of sample size estimation for clinical trials, novel efficient designs and new approaches for collecting and understanding outcome data. She participates in research to develop the use of large scale data within, alongside and instead of clinical trials. 

Theme 3: Implementation research

Research is a waste if the knowledge and interventions developed are not used or are adopted slowly. Sallie and teams across Warwick, Oxford and Exeter Universities are working in translational research to ensure positive trial results can be advanced to clinical practice as soon as possible.  This includes the Back Skill Training intervention and Strengthening and Stretching for RA hand.

https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/back-skills-training-programme

https://isarah.octru.ox.ac.uk

Theme 4: Helping other researchers

Sallie has worked with and supported many other researchers and public/patient representatives.  She has been very lucky to work with many people in different disciplines, and participate, mentor and support trialists from the surgical, oncology, trauma, rehabilitation and early medicine development fields. Teams of people make important scientific discoveries -well done to everyone!

Research projects

Current Projects:

GW4-CAT PhD Programme for Health Professionals. The Wellcome Trust, 223495/Z/21/Z. 1 October 2022 – 30 September 2029. £7,096,279. Lead J Iredale, Co-ap SE Lamb.

British Orthopaedic Association Clinical Trials Unit Award. 1 June 2021 – 31 May 2024. £113,030. Lead SE Lamb.

GEMINI - Genetic Evaluation of Multimorbidity towards INdividualisation of Interventions. MRC MR/W014548/1 £2,505,857. 30/06/2020 – 28/02/2021 CI TM Frayling, co-applicant SE Lamb

Research for Patient Benefit (RfPB) Programme: NIHR201031 – Anti-TNF (Adalimumab) injection for the treatment of adults with frozen shoulder during the pain-predominant phase: a multi-centre, randomised, double blind, parallel group, feasibility study. 01 March 2021 – 31 March 2023. £249,991.00. CI J Nanchahal, Co-applicant SE Lamb.

NIHR ARC National Priorities – Ageing, Dementia and Frailty, NIHR Applied Research Collaboration (ARC) National Priorities, 26808, £1,875,000 01 October 2020 – 30 September 2023. CI Prof Helen Roberts, co-applicant SE Lamb.

NIHR School for Primary Care Research, The University of Exeter, NIHR School for Primary Care Research, NIHR201798, £32m, 1 April 2021 – 31 March 2026, CI J Campbell, Co-applicant SE Lamb.

PROCURE - Partial Rotator Cuff Tear Repair Trial, NIHR HTA, NIHR128043, £1,483,587.80, 01/01/2020 – 28/02/2029, CI SE Lamb.

Back to top

---

External Engagement and Impact

Awards

• Doctor of Science (hc) Brunel London University 2016

• National Institute of Health Research Senior Investigator 2008-15, now Emeritus

• Fellow of the Royal Statistical Society 2005 (by election)

• Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences 2016 (by election)

• Fellow of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy 2018 (by election)

• Member of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy 1989

• Fellow of Academie Europea 2019 (by election)

Committee/panel activities

• Member of the Board of Trustees and Non-executive Director, Arthritis Research UK, March 2016 - 2023

• Chair, National Institute of Health Research (NIHR) Health Technology Assessment (HTA) Clinical Trials and Evaluation Board. 2010 – 2016 (1st Jan) (6 year term).

• Chair, Health Research Award Panel, Health Research Board, Ireland 2014 and 2016

• Member then Chair, NIHR Clinical Trials Unit Advisory and Standing Committee 2008-2010; 2012 to 2015

• Deputy Chair of the NIHR Clinician Scientist Award Panel 2010-2015

• Deputy Chair, NIHR Research Methods Fellowships and Internship Scheme Panel.2009 – 2011

• Member, NIHR Senior Investigator Awards Panel 2012 to 2015

• Member, Welsh Assembly Senior Investigator Award Panel 2015

• Member, Health Innovation Challenge Fund Panel, Wellcome Trust 2015 to 2016

• Member National Institute of Clinical Excellence Guideline Panel on hip fracture management. June 2009- Dec 2015.

• Member International Review Panel for registration of United Kingdom Clinical Research Collaboration (UKCRC) Clinical Trials Units. 2009 and Welsh Government 2019.

• Member, NIHRHTA Commissioning Board, Jan 2002 – 2008

• Member, NIHR HTA Systematic reviews and economic modelling board June 2007.

• Member, NIHR HTA Emergency and Trauma Board June 2007-2008

• Member, Commissioning Strategy Group, NHS HTA Programme Jan 2005 -2008

• Member, American and British Geriatric Society Prevention of Falls Guideline Panel, New York 2005.

• Vice-chair, Scientific Panel of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy. 2000 to 2003

• Member NHS R&D advisory group on Ageing 1999

• Member and Chair of many trial steering committees and data monitoring committees

Editorial responsibilities

• Member of the Editorial Board of SAGE Research Methods
• Member of Editorial Board of Journal of Geriatric Physical Therapy
• Prior member of editorial board of Physiotherapy

Invited lectures

Sallie is a regular, invited speaker at national and international conferences.

Listen as Sallie presents the findings from the PreFit Trial at Sydney University's Institute for Musculoskeletal Health and ANZ Falls Prevention Society's recent webinar: The Research Power Hour with Professor Sallie Lamb

Media Coverage

Sallie has made appearances on BBC and ITV. Her research work has featured in a variety of newspapers and outlets across the world.  

Back to top

---

Teaching

Doctoral supervision in ageing, clinical trials and applied statistics.

Back to top

---