Useful links

CHAIN 1

CHAIN 1 is for people with an interest in Research and Development in healthcare, and those keen to ensure that research evidence adds value to healthcare provision.

The National Institute for Health Research

This site includes information about health research and development, whether you want to apply for funding, view calls for proposals, understand the processes required for gaining ethics approvals or know more about the facilities and research networks provided by the NHS.
View the updated 'Best Research for Best Health' strategy implementation plans, and find out more about the NIHR work streams and 'arms length' programmes, and read the latest news from the Institute.

NHS Quality Improvement Scotland

This site is host to the Scottish Network for Clinical Effectiveness and Practice Development in Radiography. The group, which is currently seeking additional representatives, aims to communicate and share best practice to provide a dynamic, evidence-based and quality service in Scotland.

ACORRN

The Academic Clinical Oncology and Radiobiology Research Network (ACORRN) is a National Cancer Research Institute initiative, funded by Cancer Research UK, the Medical Research Council and the Department of Health.
Their aim is to develop radiotherapy research in the UK by networking and supporting individuals and groups, developing an integrated UK strategy and infrastructure to support.
ACORRN is for anyone who works or is interested in the radiotherapy and radiobiology community.
ACORRN has an online discussion forum where you can discuss your ideas or questions with online colleagues.
There is also a news page with the latest events and new developments.

UK GRAD

The role of the UK GRAD Programme is to support the academic sector to embed personal and professional skills development into research degree programmes (RDP).
Their vision is for all postgraduate researchers to be fully equipped and encouraged to complete their studies and to make a successful transition to their future careers.
To achieve their vision they have four main objectives:

• Raise the profile of the importance of personal and professional development in researcher training for all stakeholders;
• Encourage the integration of, and opportunities for, personal and professional skills development in research degree programmes;
• Encourage and share good practice within higher education institutions;
• As a national resource, continue to innovate, develop and provide exemplar ways of embedding personal and professional development and career management skills.

UKCGE

UKCGE was founded in 1994 to champion the interests of graduate education. 
UKCGE promotes:

• The interests of graduate education across all disciplines in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs);
• A distinct identity for graduate education and research in higher education;
• The development of quality and quality measures for graduate education and research conducted in HEIs;
• The effective leadership and management of postgraduate students;
• The status, education and training of postgraduate students;
• Effective infrastructural provisions for graduate education (including appropriate funding);
• Equal opportunities for students in graduate education;
• The professional development and status of staff and supervisors in HEIs.

MRC

The Medical Research Council is a national organisation funded by the taxpayer. Their aim is to promote research into all areas of medical and related science, with the aims of improving the health and quality of the UK public.

RCUK

Research Councils UK (RCUK) is a strategic partnership through which the UK’s eight Research Councils work together to champion the research, training and innovation they support. 
The Research Councils are the main public investors in fundamental research in the UK, with interests ranging from bio-medicine and particle physics to the environment, engineering and economic research.

BIR Information Centre

The BIR Information Centre provides services to BIR Members and to members of the College of Radiographers, the Royal College of Radiologists and the British Medical Ultrasound Society. It incorporates a reference library available, upon request and at the Manager's discretion, to anyone with a need for information about radiology and its allied sciences. For further information check the website.

The National Research Register

The National Research Register (NRR) is a register of ongoing and recently completed research projects funded by, or of interest to, the United Kingdom's National Health Service.

UK Clinical Research Collaboration (UKCRC)

The UKCRC brings together the major stakeholders that influence  clinical research in the UK and particularly in the NHS. The Collaboration includes representatives from: the main funding bodies for clinical research in the UK; academic medicine; the NHS; regulatory bodies; representatives from industry and patients.

UK Clinical Research Network (UKCRN)

The UKCRN forms one of the key components of the UKCRC. It was developed to support clinical research and to facilitate the conduct of randomised prospective trials of interventions and other studies. It is initially supporting the development of six Topic Specific Research Networks in the fields of cancer, dementias and neurodegenerative disease, diabetes, medicines for children, mental health and stroke.

National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE)

Working with clinical bodies, NICE systematically appraises health interventions before they are introduced in the Health Service. It offers clinicians clear guidelines on which treatments work best for patients, and which do not.

National Cancer Research Institute (NCRI)

NCRI aims to challenge the way cancer research is carried out in the UK. It is a partnership of the major cancer research funding bodies from the Government, charity and private sectors. Its purpose is to accelerate and advance cancer research for the benefit of patients and the UK cancer research community.

INVOLVE (formerly Consumers in NHS Research)

INVOLVE aims to ensure that public involvement in Research and Development in the NHS, public health and social care improves. The way that decisions are made about what should be a priority for research; the way that research is commissioned (chosen and funded); the way that research is carried out; and the way that research findings are communicated.

The Institute of Cancer Research

Section of Academic Radiotherapy and Department of Radiotherapy (including Psychology Research Group).

The Health Foundation

The Health Foundation believes that leadership is central to improving the quality of healthcare. Currently they offer numerous award schemes which provide personalised coaching and development.

The Wellcome Trust

The Wellcome Trust is an independent charity funding research to improve human and animal health. Established in 1936 and with an endowment of about £11 billion, it is the UKs largest non-governmental source of funds for biomedical research.

The National Coordinating Centre for Research Capacity Development (NCCRCD)

Funded by the Department of Health as one of its national programmes, the Research Capacity Development (RCD) Programme makes research training awards to individuals who show the potential to become leaders in their particular field and whose research is people or patient-focussed and relevant to the NHS.
The NCCRCD has personal award schemes at three levels: The Research Development Award leading to a PhD, Post-Doctoral Award or Career Scientist Award.
Radiographers have been awarded so please apply!

The Higher Education Funding Council

The strategic aim of the Higher Education Funding Council for England is to develop and sustain an internationally competitive research sector that makes a major contribution to economic prosperity, national well being and the expansion and dissemination of knowledge. HEFCE provides funding to support research.

NICE e-newsletter

View the latest NICE e-newsletter or register online for the latest edition to be delivered direct to your mailbox automatically.

AHP Bulletin

All members who may be considering undertaking research are urged to subscribe to the AHP Bulletin.
The monthly newsletter addresses matters related to the organisation and delivery of AHP services and includes items of direct interest to AHP staff.

To receive the bulletin by email, send your details to bulletin.subscriptions@dh.gsi.gov.uk. Clicking on this link will give you access to a pre-addressed email. Please include: your name, job title, organisation, full postal address (including postcode), telephone and fax numbers and email address.

The Cancer Specialist Library

The Cancer Specialist Library was set up by the NHS to help radiographers and other health professionals find the clinical information they need.
Part of the National Library for Health (NLH), the online resource offers information about prevention, tests and treatment – or statistics, the latest guidance and patient information.

The Picker Awards for Excellence

The Picker Institute is an independent, not-for-profit organisation dedicated to the identification and promotion of best practices which will lead to the advancement of patient centred care. 
Each year, the Picker Institute supports educational programmes, awards 'best practices' and encourages research – all focussed on continued improvement in healthcare. Visit www.pickerinstitute.org for more information on the awards.

National Centre for Research Methods – ReStore

ReStore is ‘a repository of online research methods resources which preserves, sustains and actively maintains web resources’ developed as part of Economic and Social Research Council funding.

This online facility aims to provide a resource for researchers who may not be able to attend training, in addition to forming a repository of social science knowledge.

A number of the online methods resources have been restored into the ReStore repository and there is a variety of information available which may be valuable to researchers, especially those working with a social science perspective.

Visit www.restore.ac.uk for more details.

Professional & union
        Research
            Networking
                interactiveCSP
                Allied Health Professions Research Network
                Research groups
 

Allied Health Professions Research Network

The Allied Health Professions' Research Network (AHPRN) supports research development and its integration into practice.

The AHPRN is available to anyone interested in research related to the Allied Health Professions and has now taken the place of the National Physiotherapy Research Network (NPRN).