Research Roundup: May – June 2026
Welcome to our regular research blog, featuring the latest findings, opportunities to get involved, as well as updates from our Research & Development team, including our Opt-out consultation, for which we would love your input.
We recently celebrated the SLaM Staff Awards, which for the first year included a Research & Development team category. Huge congratulations to the PICuP clinic (pictured above) who won the award for their innovation, learning and evidence-based practice within the Trust for training developed in the STAR study. The study, which was featured on the front cover of the Lancet Psychiatry (July 2026), showed that trauma-focused therapy is safe and effective for people with co-occurring psychosis and PTSD – read more about the STAR study here.
I was honoured to be among the keynote speakers at the recent Royal College of Psychiatrists International Congress 2026 in Liverpool. I was sharing a talk on ‘Psychosis: what’s in a name and the trouble with words’. Among the other keynotes were Professor Gráinne McAlonan , and Professor Richard Dobson , Director and Deputy Director (respectively) of the NIHR Biomedical Research Centre: Maudsley. Their talks were on ‘How a neurodevelopmental perspective can inform precision psychiatry in autism’ and ‘ Closing the loop: turning mental health data into clinical action.'
On 19 June we marked #Red4Research day , a campaign led by the NHS R&D Forum, which celebrates all those who support research. In the Trust l ast year (2025-26), over 5,800 people took part in a research study, and this wouldn't be possible without the support of the Trust's Research Delivery Team. You can read interviews with the team here.
Professor Fiona Gaughran, Research and Development Director, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust
Updates from the Research and Development team
Staff and service users invited to shape new ‘opt-out’ approach to contact about research opportunities
Currently, the Trust uses an “opt-in” system known as Consent for Contact (C4C), where service users must sign up to be contacted about research studies. We are moving to a new approach in 2027, in which service users would by default be contacted about research opportunities, unless they choose to opt out. The change would not mean a service user is opted into research participation - only whether they can be contacted about opportunities. The Research and Development team are carrying out a consultation with staff, service users and the local community, until September 2026. We invite staff to share their views in this short survey. If you would like to take part in a focus group, please contact: researchdeliveryteam@slam.nhs.uk
Inside the Clinical Research Delivery programme: An interview with Sophie Williams, Research Nurse
The Clinical Research Delivery MSc/PGDip/PGCert at King’s College London is designed to support healthcare professionals in developing the skills, confidence and networks needed to lead and contribute to clinical research alongside their practice. Delivered part-time through flexible online learning, the programme enables clinicians to integrate study with demanding NHS roles. Read an interview with Research Nurse Sophie William (Intranet link), who shares her experience of studying on the programme. Apply to join the next cohort by 25 August 2026.
Joint R&D Office update on 150-day target for clinical trial set-up
The Joint Research and Development (R&D) Office at South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust (SLaM) and King’s IoPPN continues to support research teams in speeding up clinical trial set-up
time and meeting the UK Government’s 150-day target. In May 2026, we have again improved our progress in reaching new targets from the UK government to speed up the time it takes to set-up clinical trials. Infographic shows percentage of studies meeting the 60-day study opening and 30-day to first participant recruited targets in 2026 so far.
Take part in mental health research
Life-changing research needs everyone to get involved. We are proud to be the leading mental health Trust for research participation in England. Join a study and shape the future of mental health treatments and care:
Featured: Join the FORTUNE Study
This study is exploring the use of a new type of medication for psychosis. Find out more about the FORTUNE Study here.
Research news from the Trust and partners
Research shows trauma-focused therapy is safe and effective for people with psychosis and PTSD (17 June)
The Study of Trauma And Recovery (STAR) trial, funded by the NIHR, and led by researchers at King’s College London and South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust has found that people with psychosis experiencing Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) can benefit from a Trauma-Focused therapy integrated with Cognitive Behaviour Therapy for psychosis (CBTp).
Professors Sir Robin Murray and Oliver Howes recognised at ECNP Awards (12 June)
Two clinicians from South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, who are also professors at King’s IoPPN, have been recognised by the European College of Neuropsychopharmacolog y (ECNP) as part of their 2026 awards.
Clinicians and academics debate assisted dying for terminally ill people (10 June)
In the 64th Maudsley Debate, doctors and researchers argued both sides of the ethical and moral implications of legally permitted assisted dying for people who are terminally ill.
Landmark Opening Door Ceremony for the Pears Maudsley Centre (10 June)
Young people, donors, partners and colleagues from across the King’s Maudsley Partnership came together for a milestone moment in the journey into the Pears Maudsley Centre for Children and Young People.
Dr Emmert Roberts receives Fred Yates Prize for Early Career Researchers (19 May)
Dr Emmert Roberts has been awarded the 2026 Fred Yates Prize for Early Career Researchers . The prestigious annual award recognises researchers in the earlier stages of their career who have made a significant and specific contribution to the addictions field in recent years. Dr Roberts also works as a Consultant Addiction Psychiatrist at South London and Maudsley.
Genetic link between cannabis use and psychosis could help to identify those most at risk (15 May 2026)
New research highlights the distinct and shared molecular pathways linking cannabis use disorder (CUD) and psychosis.
Professor Tony Charman elected to Academia Europaea (6 May 2026)
Professor Tony Charman, Emeritus Professor of Clinical Child Psychology at the IoPPN has been elected as a member of Academia Europaea , a group of outstanding scientists and scholars
. He is an Honorary Consultant Clinical Psychologist at the South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust.
In the Media
BBC Radio 4: All in the Mind
Dr James Rucker speaks about research into psilocybin-assisted therapy taking place at the Centre for Mental Health Research and Innovation (a partnership between South Lond
on and Maudsley, King’s IoPPN and COMPASS).
Listen: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m002xp4h
Events and opportunities
Join the Research at the Trust Viva Engage group to get the latest updates (SLaM staff only).
King's Open Research Summer School, 20 – 24 July 2026
The King’s Open Research Summer School returns for a week of talks and practical training focused on improving the quality, transparency, and credibility of research. It is open to all disciplines and career stages, the Summer School brings together researchers, students, clinicians, librarians, technicians, and research staff interested in open and reproducible science. Find out more and register.
Evidence-Based Psychological Therapies Seminar Series
Wolfson Lecture Theatre, IoPPN Main Building, 4.30 - 5.30pm
Join this Inaugural Seminar to hear from Professor David M Clark, CBE, Professor of Experimental Psychology at the University of Oxford and Emeritus NIHR Senior Investigator. The seminar will be chaired by Professor David Veale, Professor in Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapies Consultant Psychiatrist, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust. Professor Clark will present his talk titled: 'Realising the mass public benefit of evidence-based psychological therapies: the science, politics and economics of a 20 year journey.' Register here.
Clinical Research Delivery MSc/PGDip/PGCert
The Clinical Research Delivery MSc/PGDip/PGCert at King’s College London is designed to support healthcare professionals in developing the skills, confidence and networks needed to lead and contribute to clinical research alongside their practice. Apply by 25 August 2026
Joint R&D Office Wednesday Walk ‑In
Dates: First Wednesday of each month, 10:00–15:00 | Upcoming: 2 September 2026 | Location: Room W1.12 (first floor, near the KCL SU), IoPPN Main Building
The Joint Research and Development Office (IoPPN & SLaM) supports researchers planning projects within the Trust, ensuring ethical, contractual, and regulatory compliance. Drop in with questions or email: slam-ioppn.research@kcl.ac.uk.