New research-themed NNCGSI in collaboration with the RCN’s Institute for Nursing Excellence launching soon!
We are delighted to announce that we are collaborating with the Royal College of Nursing’s Institute for Nursing Excellence to bring you a new Nursing Now Challenge Global Solutions Initiative focused on research and supporting student and early-career nurses and midwives around the world to develop their skills and confidence in this field.
The aim of this collaboration is to design and deliver a NNCGSI focused on embedding research as part of nursing and midwifery roles globally, optimising opportunities to influence and impact positive change, and supporting participants to develop a practical, context-specific research project that can be applied within their own organisations and settings.
The winner of this NNCGSI will have the opportunity to attend and present their work at the RCN International Nursing Research Conference 2026| Royal College of Nursing, taking place 15th -17th September 2026 in Glasgow, Scotland.
How to get involved
On 18th February at 2pm GMT, Dr Ada Hui, UK Head of Nursing Research at the Royal College of Nursing will host a pre-launch webinar, Nurses and midwives as change agents – research opportunities, possibilities and potential. During this session, Dr Hui will provide detailed information about the initiative, including its aims, scope, and how Nursing Now Challenge members can get involved. Register to take part in this session here.
This NNCGSI will officially kick off on 27th March. Please find below the timeline of upcoming sessions…
Research NNCGSI session timeline
Launch session – 27th March, 10:30 – 11:30am GMT
The power of research
Session 2 – 10th April, 12pm – 1pm BST
Myth busting monsters
Session 4 – 8th May, 8:30am – 10am BST
Workshop: Leading your legacy
Nursing Now Challenge Global Solutions Initiative
The Nursing Now Challenge Global Solutions Initiative (NNCGSI) is designed to support members of the Nursing Now Challenge global community to develop, share, and scale innovative solutions to pressing global health and workforce challenges. Building on the principles of leadership, equity, and impact that underpin the Nursing Now Challenge, the NNCGSI provides a structured, supportive environment in which participants can collaborate, learn from global expertise, and translate ideas into practical, implementable solutions.
This proposed collaboration with the RCN’s Institute for Nursing Excellence will focus on research and supporting student and early-career nurses and midwives to develop their skills and confidence in this area. Learn more about the NNCGSI here.
RCN Institute of Nursing Excellence
The RCN Institute of Nursing Excellence was established to bring together evidence, expertise and community in a way that enables the profession to tackle its most complex issues. Its strength lies in its structure: five academies – Activism, International Nursing, Nursing Leadership, Nursing Practice and Nursing Workforce – each focused on a critical domain of nursing, and each working collaboratively to generate solutions, build capability and amplify the nursing voice. Research and education are central to each of these academies, with the RCN’s Research Strategy setting out our vision for nursing research. Learn more here.
Dr Ada Hui PhD, MNursSci (Hons), PGCHE, RNMH, RNT, FHEA
Ada is the UK Head of Nursing Research at the Royal College of Nursing. In this role, she provides strategic direction, oversight and operationalisation for research within and beyond the RCN. She leads initiatives to mobilise research evidence, knowledge exchange, and opportunities through meaningful partnerships with members and external stakeholders.
Ada has an extensive track record of leading high-impact regional, national, and international research programmes aimed at transforming education, policy, and practice. Her portfolio includes competitively funded research, commissioned studies, as well as being a regularly sought after expert advisor and consultant (e.g. World Health Organization (2025) Guidance on mental health policy and strategic action plans). Her influential work in advancing research, education, policy and practice have been recognised through numerous prestigious awards, including Eilleen Skellern Laureate, Collaborative Award in Teaching Excellence (CATE) and Mary Seacole Leadership Awards.
Ada is a registered mental health nurse, sociologist and executive coach, with research interests in applying multidisciplinary theories and methods to address complex health and social challenges.
Ada’s work is grounded in a deep commitment to advancing equity and tackling institutional injustice. She focuses on designing and applying high-quality research to address inequities in health, education and society, to drive organisational change.
Prior to joining the Royal College of Nursing, Ada has held a number of senior academic and leadership roles, including Deputy Director for Postgraduate Research, Senior Research Fellow and Patient and Public Involvement Lead. She is an Associate Professor and Visiting Fellow, and continues to provide research education, supervision and mentorship across the career span. Ada has contributed significantly to the international literature on inequity, injustice and inclusion. Her publications are available here.
