Dr Saskia Sanderson has been awarded a Commendation for Innovation in the NIHR Impact Prizes 2026, for her work bringing together mental health research with the NHS DigiTrials Recruitment Service.
Now in its second year, the NIHR Impact Prizes celebrate researchers and teams who have made an extraordinary impact on health and care outcomes, transforming patient care across the UK and internationally.
First use of the NHS DigiTrials Recruitment Service in mental health research
National health data infrastructure has been widely used to support recruitment into large-scale cohorts and physical health research, but remains largely unused in mental health studies. This work enabled collaboration between mental health researchers and the NHS DigiTrials Recruitment Service, which uses patient data to identify potential research participants.
Through a coordinated programme of stakeholder engagement, knowledge mobilisation and implementation activities, the project has increased the pace and scale of recruitment for mental health research. As a result, three major studies are now benefiting from this approach: the Early Intervention Mission (psychosis), the Calming Minds Project (depression), and Global Minds (severe mental illness).
This recognition means a great deal to me. It reflects something I am really passionate about: bringing together the mental health research community with the NHS DigiTrials Recruitment Service, an invaluable resource and critical piece of research infrastructure. I’m delighted to see that vision come to life, and grateful that this work has been recognised through this commendation.
Dr Saskia SandersonData Science Lead of the NIHR Mental Health Translational Research Collaboration Mission
Watch: Dr Sanderson discusses her work using NHS DigiTrials for mental health research recruitment
This work was enabled by NIHR infrastructure support, including the NIHR MH-TRC Mission and the NIHR Biomedical Research Centre: Maudsley.
Celebrating outstanding contributions to health and social care research
This year, 20 teams were selected from a highly competitive field – including 11 winners, comprising seven research teams or individuals and four early-career researchers – alongside nine commended entrants. They illustrate the depth of talent, dedication, and life-changing work taking place today across the UK’s research sector.
In addition to saving lives and improving quality of life, the winning studies also highlight how health and care research contributes directly to economic growth. By easing pressure on NHS services, supporting public health and workforce health, and stimulating life sciences supply chains, NIHR research reinforces the vital link between a healthy population and a thriving UK economy.
"I offer my warmest congratulations to all the excellent winners and commended teams of this year’s NIHR Impact Prizes, who have all made a crucial contribution to changing lives through research."
Professor Lucy ChappellChief Scientific Adviser at the Department of Health and Social Care and Chief Executive Officer of the NIHR
