A new all-island initiative designed to strengthen surgical research collaboration, support multicentre clinical trials and improve outcomes for patients across Ireland has been launched by RCSI.

The Irish Surgical Trial and Research (I-STAR) Network will provide a coordinated national framework for surgical research and clinical trials, connecting surgeons, researchers, healthcare institutions, patients, industry partners and international collaborators. The initiative aims to generate high-quality evidence that informs healthcare policy and advances clinical standards.

Professor Shirley Potter has been appointed Clinical Director of the I-STAR Network. A Consultant Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon at St James's Hospital, Clinical Professor at the UCD School of Medicine, and National Training Programme Director for Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery at RCSI, Professor Potter brings extensive clinical, research and education leadership experience to the role.

The new network builds on the success of RCSI's National Surgical Research Support Centre (NSRSC), which was established in 2022 to provide infrastructure, expertise and operational support for surgeons undertaking clinical research. Since its inception, the Centre has supported numerous trials and research studies facilitating recruitment of over 600 patients and engaging 156 surgeons in research activities across 20 major and regional hospitals in Ireland and Europe.

Professor Michael Kerin, President of RCSI, said: “The launch of the I-STAR Network marks an important milestone in the development of surgical research in Ireland. Bringing together expertise from across the healthcare system, this collaborative platform will support high-quality research, strengthen clinical trial delivery and help ensure that patients benefit from the latest evidence and innovation in surgical care.”

Commenting on her appointment, Professor Shirley Potter said: “Our vision is for I-STAR to become the national platform for collaborative surgical trials and research in Ireland. By connecting surgeons, trainees, methodologists, trial units and patients, we can develop clinically relevant research questions and translate them into high-quality multicentre studies. Ultimately, we want to establish Ireland as an internationally recognised centre for collaborative surgical research, generating evidence that directly improves surgical practice and patient outcomes.”

Dr Anne-Marie Byrne, Operations Director of the NSRSC, said: “We are excited to welcome Professor Potter and look forward to working together to build on the strong foundations and significant progress made by the NSRSC in establishing the national infrastructure for surgical research.”

A key objective of the network is to support the development of specialty-specific collaborative groups and trial clusters that will identify research priorities, develop innovative study ideas and facilitate participation in international research programmes. The network will also serve as a national platform to showcase surgical research being carried out across Ireland and provide a central point of contact for academic, clinical and industry collaborators.

Supported by the established infrastructure of the NSRSC, members of the I-STAR Network will have access to governance, methodological expertise, training and operational support. The network will also offer education and professional development opportunities through RCSI-accredited MSc programmes, continuing professional development courses, specialist workshops, webinars and other research training resources.

Through I-STAR and the NSRSC, RCSI aims to strengthen Ireland's surgical research ecosystem, increase participation in investigator-led studies, attract international collaboration and research investment, and develop the next generation of surgical research leaders.