UKCRC Public Health Research Centres of Excellence

UKCRC Public Health Research Centres of Excellence Presentation notes: In response to this challenge of strengthening public health research in the UK, the major funders of UK public health research joined forces as a Strategic Planning Group, under the auspices of the UKCRC, to develop a coordinated approach to improving the public health research environment in the UK. The group was chaired by Professor Ian Diamond of the Economic and Social Research Council. By examining findings from recent major reviews in the area, mapping the research activities and priorities of public health research funders, and consulting leading public health stakeholders and experts in the field, two overall areas for improvement were identified. These were the need to build capacity and boost infrastructure in public health research. Other issues emerged from the evidence: Training and career structure; Multi-disciplinary and collaborative working; Maximising use of existing data; Methodological issues; and the need to foster translational and applied research. Diet and nutrition; physical activity; and alcohol, tobacco and drugs were highlighted as areas which have a large impact on improving public health. In light of this evidence, the UKCRC Strategic Planning Group agreed that the best solution for joint action would be to fund up to five UKCRC Public Health Research Centres of Excellence. Over £20 million investment was committed to this initiative by the funding partners. In December 2007, following an open competition, five centres were each awarded up to £5 million awarded for a 5-year period. The centres are based in Newcastle, Cardiff, Belfast, Cambridge and Nottingham. The strategic aim of the Centres of Excellence is to add value by increasing infrastructure, building academic capacity and bringing together leading experts from a range of disciplines with practitioners, policy makers and wider stakeholders working in partnership in order to address complex public health issues that will potentially have a significant impact on the nation’s health. The long term goal is to develop and strengthen public health research capability which will result in significant improvements in the health of the UK population. Applications were assessed on the basis of scientific excellence; contribution to the aims and strategic objectives of the initiative; and strategic management, including a strong capacity building programme The ESRC, in conjunction with the National Prevention Research Initiative Secretariat, provided administrative management on behalf of the funders.The organisations contributing to this joint initiative are: British Heart Foundation; Cancer Research UK; NIHR/Department of Health; Economic and Social Research Council; Medical Research Council; Research and Development Office for the Northern Ireland Health and Personal Social Services; Wales Office of Research and Development; Wellcome Trust Further information: Please see the Economic and Social Research Council’s website: www.esrcsocietytoday.ac.uk/publichealthcentresofexcellence For an overview of the public health research initiative, please see the UKCRC website: http://www.ukcrc.org/activities/coordinatingresearchfunding/publichealth.aspx Further information on the successful centres can be found in the UKCRC press release: http://www.ukcrc.org/PDF/Media%20Release%20-%20UKCRC%20Public%20Health%20Centres%20of%20Excellence.pdf Or contact the UKCRC Secretariat at info@ukcrc.org or phone 0207 6705294.