Elaine Hay is a Professor of Community Rheumatology at Keele University and Director of the Arthritis Research UK Primary Care Centre and iPCHS. She holds an Honorary Consultant Rheumatologist role at the Haywood Hospital. Her academic journey includes a MD from the University of Sheffield and clinical training in Manchester. Professor Hay has been pivotal in translating musculoskeletal research into clinical practice, influencing national guidelines on osteoarthritis and back pain. Her work spans randomized trials evaluating non-pharmacological treatments, service redesign in primary care, and improving healthcare outcomes for musculoskeletal conditions. Research interests focus on optimizing primary care management of chronic pain conditions, including low back pain, knee osteoarthritis, and carpal tunnel syndrome. She leads large-scale trials such as the STarT MSK initiative and the BEEP trial, emphasizing stratified care approaches. Her work has shaped policy through contributions to NICE guidelines and the Department of Health Musculoskeletal Services Framework. Professor Hay chairs the Arthritis Research UK Musculoskeletal Pain Clinical Studies Group and serves on national panels for research funding and evaluation. She actively mentors doctoral students, having supervised 9 completed higher degrees and currently guiding 3 PhD candidates. Her research infrastructure includes the Clinical Education Centre at Keele University and collaborations with NHS Trusts, ensuring translational impact in musculoskeletal care delivery.






