HOPE Research

Dr Laura Jefferson is a Senior Research Fellow in Health Workforce and Policy, specialising in primary care workforce research. Her work addresses one of the most pressing challenges facing the NHS: retaining and supporting the GP workforce. With a background in health services research and a MSc and PhD from the University of York, she has developed a strong national and international reputation for her innovative use of mixed-methods to inform policy and practice.

Laura was awarded an NIHR Advanced Fellowship to support a six-year programme of research – PROSPER-GP – which will develop evidence-informed strategies to support GP retention. Through close collaboration with GP stakeholders, Local Medical Committees, policymakers, and professional bodies such as the Royal College of General Practitioners, Laura’s work is co-designed with – and for – the profession. Her research places a strong emphasis on equity and inclusion, drawing on her extensive expertise in gender inequalities in the medical workforce. Her widely cited work on gender differences in doctors’ careers continues to inform NIHR-funded research that seeks to understand how to support women GPs to thrive in their roles.