Dr Kristin Hussey, a lecturer in environmental history at Newcastle University, has been awarded a £1.29m grant by the Wellcome foundation for a research project exploring the impact of night shifts on healthcare workers. The study aims to improve conditions for thousands of NHS staff working overnight.
Three-pronged approach
The project will take a three-pronged approach: examining the lived experiences of night shift workers, current policies, and existing scientific and medical research. Researchers will collaborate with three NHS trusts in the region: Northumbria Healthcare, Newcastle Hospitals, and Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear. Major nursing schools at Northumbria and Edinburgh Napier universities are also involved.
Real-world impact
Dr Hussey said: "I'm excited to be able to demonstrate that humanities research can make a real-world, practical contribution to health and wellbeing. By bringing together historical research, and insights from night shift workers in the North East alongside NHS Trusts, educational institutions and policymakers, we’ll be developing practical approaches aimed at improving the well-being of night shift workers in British hospitals."
Project details
Titled "The Night Shift 1850-present: Re-imagining sleep, work and wellbeing for healthcare professionals in English and Scottish Hospitals," the project will examine how long-standing work cultures may have normalised unsafe and unsustainable working conditions. It will kick off in January 2027 and last more than five years. Researchers will work with hospital staff to develop prototype methods for improving night-working culture, and with the Royal College of Nursing to produce a public exhibition and events programme.
Supporting voices
Prof Alison Steven, professor of research in nursing and health professions education at Northumbria University, said: "I'm delighted to support this fascinating and important project led by Dr Hussey, which brings a fresh historical perspective to night shift working. Night shift working is an area I know well through my previous research and current Workforce Voices work into NHS workforce fatigue. I look forward to seeing it translate into practical change for today’s NHS staff."
Professor Vari M Drennan, Chair of the Royal College of Nursing History of Nursing Forum, said: "I am delighted that the RCN History of Nursing Forum is collaborating with this project. The history of night shifts has rarely been the focus of study, and this project will uncover important information about this integral part of nurses' lives and nursing. Greater understanding of the history and context of night shift work will enable us to better support nursing staff across the UK through the RCN’s current work on policy and professional guidance."
Dr Emily Rainsford, research and evidence lead at Insights North East, said: "At Insights North East we bridge the gap between academic evidence and policy making. We are excited to work with Dr Hussey on this project to support the work on integrating and translating the findings into actionable insights for the right people at the right level in the policy ecosystem. We also look forward to contributing to the broader understanding of how history as a discipline can have an impact on current policy making."
Wellcome's perspective
Thomas Bray, senior research manager at Wellcome, said: "This highly innovative research will generate crucial new insights into the experiences of hospital workers on the night shift, particularly by illuminating the historical, social and political contexts. We are delighted to support Dr Hussey's project. The bold, creative approach, alongside engagement with today’s healthcare workers, is a great example of how humanities research can help support breakthroughs that improve health for everyone."
