Free access. Doctoral level research can contribute to the evidence base, particularly in under‐researched areas and numerically small fields such as children and young people's palliative care. It is acknowledged that much of what we currently do in children's and young people's palliative care is eminence‐based, rather than evidence‐based (Together for Short Lives, 2018). Whilst sharing experience and wisdom was valuable, particularly when the specialty was in its infancy, it is important now to develop an evidence base to ensure that children, young people and their families receive the highest standard of care.