UHB consultant wins prestigious NIHR Research Leaders Prize
Published on 24/08/2026
A Consultant Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) Surgeon at University Hospitals Birmingham (UHB) has been recognised with a prestigious national research leadership prize.
Jameel Muzaffar has been named one of the 20 NIHR Research Delivery Leaders, making an outstanding contribution to health and care research.
The prize marks the 20th anniversary of the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) and celebrates talented leaders who have demonstrated exceptional leadership in delivering NIHR portfolio research and championing participation across health and care settings.
As NIHR Research Delivery Network ENT National Specialty Lead, Jameel has played a leading role in growing the national ENT research portfolio, increasing study activity across more than 100 NHS sites. He has also helped build research capacity through the Associate Principal Investigator Scheme and multidisciplinary collaboration.
Alongside this, he has championed innovative approaches to research delivery, including co-leading a digitally enabled decentralised trial designed to reduce geographical barriers to participation and improve access to research.
As a prize winner, Jameel will receive a £10,000 professional development award, paid to UHB, alongside access to tailored leadership and development opportunities.
Jameel said: “I’m really delighted to have been chosen for an NIHR Research Delivery Leaders Prize. Research is always a team effort, and I’ve been incredibly fortunate to work with brilliant colleagues across Birmingham and the wider NIHR community.
“Hearing and balance problems are incredibly common, but remain under-recognised and under-addressed, and I feel very lucky to work with such fantastic people to turn good ideas into studies that can make a real difference to patients. It means a great deal to have that work recognised in this way.”
The award reflects NIHR's commitment to supporting talented leaders across the full breadth of health and care research careers, improving outcomes for patients, tackling inequalities and driving economic growth across the country.
A formal prize-giving ceremony will take place at the 2026 NIHR Academy Conference in October.
Find out more about the NIHR20 Research Leaders Prizes
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