Research Support Service Hub delivered by University of York and Partners
The University of York is proud to host one of eight NIHR Research Support Service (RSS) Hubs, in collaboration with the University of Leeds and the University of Sheffield.
The RSS provides expert pre- and post-award support and advice to applied health, public health, and social care researchers on the design and delivery of research, as well as the development of research funding applications.
Who can use this service?
We are a national service supporting researchers, regardless of location and at any career stage, applying to national, open and peer-reviewed research programmes, including all domestic NIHR funding programmes, UK Research Councils and national health and care charities. The RSS supports applications for translational, clinical and applied health, public health and social care research, including applications for fellowships and other personal awards. We support researchers in the devolved nations if they are working in collaboration with English partners. We do not support global health research or work involving animals or animal tissue.
What types of support does the RSS offer?
- Advice on the design and development of research funding applications, such as identifying
available funding, understanding funder requirements, refining research questions, aims and objectives, selecting methodological approaches, building research teams, and planning for implementation for impact - Expertise in involving people, community engagement, co-production, and developing and
delivering inclusive research - Advice from a broad range of methodologists, including quantitative researchers,
statisticians, health economists, data scientists, qualitative researchers, epidemiologists,
mixed methods researchers, social scientists, behavioural scientists, participatory methods
researchers, implementation researchers, clinical trialists - Expertise in research designs, approaches and methods of analysis
- Opportunities to collaborate with RSS experts and partner organisations, where academic
interests align and capacity allows - Signposting to other sources of advice, resources and support
About our Hub
Our Hub is a partnership between the Universities of York, Sheffield and Leeds, hosted by the University of York and led by Co-Directors, Professors Catriona McDaid and Catherine Hewitt.
Our Hub team is drawn from several world-leading groups at the Universities of York, Sheffield and Leeds, including:
School for Business and Society
School of Medicine and Population Health
Institute of Clinical Trials Research
The three universities have strong networks both between and within their institutions. These networks link us to a wealth of expertise across Departments, Institutes, Policy and other Research Units, Applied Research Collaborations, and Biomedical Research Centres.
The Hub includes three UK Clinical Research Collaboration (UKCRC) registered trials units. It can also link up with other trials units across the country through its partnership with the UKCRC. Two of the clinical trials units are Royal College of Surgeons Surgical Trials Centres with specialist expertise in the design and delivery of trials for surgical interventions.
Our research strengths and areas of interest
Our Hub is an expert in bringing together interdisciplinary teams to undertake research in areas of strategic importance to NIHR, for the benefit of the public and patients, including in underserved regions and communities with unmet health needs. It has expertise across a range of study designs and research settings.
Hub partners undertake research across NHS primary, secondary, and tertiary care; community and social care; settings outside health, including criminal justice and education; with voluntary sector organisations; and industry.
Trials, statistics and data science
Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of drugs, devices and surgery, diagnostics, and complex interventions; early phase trials; prognostic models; cohorts; diagnostic accuracy; utilising routine data; high-performance computing; machine learning and artificial intelligence
Qualitative
- A range of qualitative methods including ethnography, participatory methods, longitudinal studies and process evaluation
- Experience undertaking research on inequalities, with underserved populations and cross-sector research involving health, social care, charities and local authorities
Health economics
- Expertise in real-world data, early economic modelling and economic evaluation alongside clinical trials
- Experience in methodological developments including outcome measurement and incorporating inequality in the evaluation framework
Study delivery and underserved populations
- Delivery of multi-centre RCTs including regulatory requirements
- Expertise on evidence-informed participant recruitment and retention including vulnerable populations such as children, people who lack capacity, and people with severe mental illness
- Methods development including Studies within a Trial (SWAT)
Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement (PPIE) and Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI
- Expertise developing innovative PPIE approaches with researchers, patients, community organisations and the public
- Experience leading PPIE and EDI capacity development: developing guidance, leading training and providing mentorship to researchers as well as working collaboratively with underserved communities and promoting inclusivity throughout the research pathway
Mixed methods
Use of mixed methods in the design, optimisation and evaluation of complex interventions; development, validation and adaptation of outcome measures; research priority setting, stakeholder involvement and participatory research methods
Evidence synthesis
Including systematic scoping reviews, systematic reviews and meta-analysis and qualitative evidence synthesis
Dissemination and impact
Designing strategies for research reporting tailored for the target audience and planning pathways to impact
Contact us
If you would like to request support from this RSS Hub, please complete the form to tell us a little about you, your research idea, and the support you need.
For other queries please contact nihr-rss@york.ac.uk
The University of York also hosts the RSS Specialist Centre for Social Care, to find out more please click here