The British Academy of Childhood Disability (BACD)

Awards

Paul Polani Research Award 2012

The RCPCH/BACD Paul Polani Research Award supports research and innovation in paediatric neurodisability in the UK. Research to build a robust evidence-base is essential to provide optimal service to maintain and strengthen resources for Children and Young People with Disabilities and their families.The Paul Polani Research Award has NIHR Partner Organisation status.

The deadline for 2012 applications has now past. The winning application will be announced at the BACD Annual Scientific Meeting on 2 March 2012 and the lead applicant will be invited to present the findings at the 2014 ASM.

Past award winners are:

2011 Award Creation and validation of a tool for identifying children with functional visual impairments in children with hemiplegia. Dr Melissa Gladstone and colleagues at Alder Hey NHS Chidlren's Foundation Trust. The findings of the study will be presented at the 2013 BACD Annual Conference.

2010 Award Sleep in Children with Severe Cerebral Palsy- Objective Measurement of the Impact of Botulinum Toxin Hip Injections: Dr Charlie Fairhurst, Suzie Turner, Jane Orgill, Claire Lundy, Mat Blackshaw and Dr Paul Gringras (Evelina Children's Hospital, Guys & St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust). The findings of the study will be presented at the 2012 BACD Annual Conference.

2009 Award Respiratory function in children with severe motor disorders using night-time postural equipment: Dr Cathy Hill, Dr Kathryn Padoa, Penny Allen, Pam Shults and Dr Romola Bucks (University of Southampton, Southampton City PCT & University of Western Australia). The findings of the study were presented at the 2011 BACD Annual Conference.

2008 Award Measuring the efficacy of computer communication intervention for children with cerebral palsy: Dr Jeremy Parr and Katie Price (Wolfson Neurodisability Service, Great Ormond Street Hospital, London). The study was presented at the 2010 BACD Annual Conference.

2007 Award In the inaugural year of the Award, two studies were selected and the findings were presented at the 2009 BACD Annual Conference:

Establishing the Lifestyle Assessment Questionnaire, a measure of participation: H McConachie, EC Jessen and RJ Forsyth (Newcastle University & Northumberland Care Trust).
Predicting the development of intelligible speech by children with cerebral palsy: a pilot study: Dr Lindsay Pennington, Dr Mark Pearce, Prof Allan Colver & Dr Mary Gibson (Newcastle University & Newcastle Hospitals NHS Trust).