I am a Senior Lecturer in Nursing at the University of Manchester and Head of the Long Term Conditions and Self Management Research Team. I have been actively involved in research since 1988 and my research focuses on living with, and clinical management of, long-term health problems. I have research expertise in service user participation. My particular areas of clinical interest are respiratory and renal disease. I was a contributor to the National Health Service Executive/Asthma UK National Clinical Asthma Research Strategy and Chair of the Working Group which developed the Royal College of Nursing Position Statement on promoting nursing research in healthcare organisations. I have strong research collaborations nationally and internationally.