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 OCD and Alcohol Use Disorder.
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
Designing Inclusive Landscape Structures for Myopic and Low Vision Children in Educational Environments
Myopia and low vision have become increasingly prevalent amongst children. This interdisciplinary project brings together researchers in optometry (Oehring), environmental science (Martin) and early childhood education (Campbell Barr) to explore the role of outdoor activities in mitigating myopia, and study how inclusive landscape design can encourage such activities.
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 .
Health research news
- New research has found prescribing nature can improve happiness and reduce anxiety 5 September 2024
- Scientists trial new vaccine to tackle bacterial infection in pigs 5 September 2024
- Magic for the blind – competition encourages magicians to create tricks that only use sound 4 September 2024
- Back-to-work stress – could a novel technique help people overcome it? 2 September 2024
- Dungeons and Dragons can help autistic people gain confidence and find their inner hero 27 August 2024
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