Plymouth Institute of Health and Care Research (PIHR)
From cutting-edge discovery research to translation into novel interventions and application within the community
From basic research discovering the causes of disease, through to evaluating novel ways of delivering care to the most vulnerable people in society, the Plymouth Institute of Health and Care Research (PIHR) is a thriving community that conducts adventurous world-leading research with the explicit purpose of improving the health and care of the populations we serve. At the heart of PIHR’s mission is a desire to solve the problems that really matter to people.
Our mission is to promote an interdisciplinary, inclusive enterprise with a real commitment to working across boundaries in order to meet the needs of the people of the South West and other rural, coastal, and deprived communities worldwide.
If you have a query about the institute or an idea for a collaboration please contact us via: PIHRSupport@plymouth.ac.uk
Research themes
Featured Research
Leading the way in transcranial ultrasound stimulation (TUS)
Our pioneering research in TUS has the potential to improve the lives of millions of people with mental health conditions as well as neurological disorders like Parkinson’s disease.
The
first UK Transcranial Ultrasound Stimulation research studies
are now taking place to aid the development of new treatments and therapies for low mood disorders, OCD and Alcohol Use Disorder.
Annual report: Perioperative and Intensive Care Research Group
The
Perioperative and Intensive Care Research Group
are delighted to publish their first annual report. The report summarises the incredible research that is taking place among the clinical academics in the group, locally, regionally, and nationally. With new funding streams in place and some huge projects closing out this year, it is a very exciting time for everyone involved.
Supporting Research Prioritisation at the Global Level
In today's world, health practitioners, researchers and policy makers face a host of challenges but have only limited resources to investigate and address them. Consequently developing and implementing robust and systematic approaches to selecting research priorities is essential. PIHR is the secretariat for the Priority Setting Methods Group within Cochrane - an established international network designed to ensure decisions about health and care are informed by high-quality evidence. The group, which was established by PIHR Director, Professor Mona Nasser, aims to inform other Cochrane groups about the empirical evidence available for methods to set research agendas or priorities, in particular (but not limited to) systematic reviews.
Co-Creation and Community Engagement
Researching in partnership with people and communities
TULAY: Co-designing Philippine community physical rehabilitation
Research to understand the needs of stroke survivors in the Philippines without access to rehabilitation services
Plymouth Health Determinants Research Collaboration
Working with the Council and communities to tackle the determinants of health inequalities
Routes to Wellness (NIHR Forced to Flee project)
Co-designing a peer-led community approach to support the mental health of refugees
PIHR Building a Rich Research Environment 2024
Joint conference between the University of Plymouth and University Hospitals Plymouth
With increasing demand and fewer resources, hospitals are under increasing pressure but there are also promising and exciting new opportunities to improve clinical outcomes through the use of research and evidence and the development of new innovations and technologies. Critical to this will be support for clinician-led research and the development of strong, sustainable and trusting research collaborations between hospitals and universities.
In recognition of this the Plymouth Institute of Health and Care Research (PIHR) organised a joint research conference between University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust (UHPNHST) and the University of Plymouth with the aim of fostering engagement and encouraging collaboration.
SHAP(E)ing Health Collaborations
The many benefits that the social sciences, arts and humanities can make to health have long been recognised. These range from using art, performance or poetry to improve patient wellbeing, through oral history as a form of intergenerational learning, history and heritage connected to memory and place-making, computer music-led therapies/interventions for locked in syndrome and dementia, to applying business and economics research to the organisation of health interventions.
PIHR hosts a range of collaborations between health and care researchers and those in the "SHAPE" disciplines of social science, humanities and arts.
Read more about the projects we support
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Health research news
- Children’s social media activity highlights emotional stress of living with long-term health issues 10 July 2025
- Plymouth MPs launch campaign for more dental training places 8 July 2025
- University research paves the way for more personalised and effective brain tumour treatments 25 June 2025
- Project awarded funding to explore impact of integrated community service delivery models in coastal areas 17 June 2025
- Reducing oxygen for critically ill patients does not harm chances of survival 12 June 2025
Postgraduate research opportunities
The University of Plymouth offers a range of
postgraduate research degrees
across all areas of health research.
The
Doctoral College
is the hub for all research degree processes – from enquiries and application processes to the award of degrees.
Find out more about the areas in which we supervise postgraduate research at both doctoral and masters levels. Here we offer a flavour of potential topics for your own research project and who to contact to discuss your options.
University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust
PenARC
South West Academic Health Science Network
Brain Tumour Research
Public Health England
Alzheimer's Society
Livewell Southwest