Transformation in life course, ageing, methodologies, eHealth, technology and interventions in health, social care, lifestyle and wellbeing
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 work is grounded in the needs of the people of the South West and other rural, coastal, and deprived communities worldwide but PIHR’s research has national and international reach and impact. We deliver this by being, an interdisciplinary, inclusive enterprise with a real commitment to working across boundaries. PIHR builds and supports health and care research across all faculties of the University of Plymouth and its Science Park. It enables collaborative research across the university with our partners in health and social care systems, civil society, and industry, nationally and internationally. Our research and development integrates basic and applied science; it transcends barriers between professions and between health and social care. Our research is inextricably linked to our educative mission and each informs and enhances the other.
Research in PIHR is developed and conducted by a vibrant network of interconnected research groups and centres each with their own expertise and focus. The role of PIHR is to add value by enabling and accelerating research, supporting new and productive collaborations, and multiplying the quality and the impact of our work and impact. It does so by means of a responsive and dynamic system that avoids the limitations of siloed and divisive organisational structures. PIHR is a supportive matrix with three interconnecting research clusters: PIHR Discovery, PIHR Translation, and PIHR Community. These are supported by crosscutting collaborative nodes: health technology, methodology including health measurement, and ‘blue health’ which links with the marine and maritime strengths of the university and the south west.
PIHR is a supportive matrix with three interconnecting research clusters: Discovery, Translation, and Community.
Discovery
Immunology, infection, cancer, experimental psychology, and neuroscience
Translation
Facilitating rapid translation of scientific discoveries into interventions to improve wellbeing
Community
Innovation and client-focused applied health and social care research
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.
From brain tumours to vaccines, tissue regeneration to hepatitis, antibiotic resistance to innovative cancer drugs, research at the DRF focuses on the development of new therapeutics, diagnostics, interventions and approaches to prevent, diagnose and treat devastating diseases, enhance patient outcomes and improve global healthcare.
This landmark investment by the University in to its biomedical and clinical research infrastructure, provides state-of-the-art laboratories and a rich, collaborative, interdisciplinary environment for University researchers, clinical colleagues and our partners.
Find out more about the facility
The Brain Research & Imaging Centre (BRIC), the most advanced multi-modal brain imaging facility in the South West, will provide the sea-change to enhance the quality of our research in human neuroscience.
With seven cutting-edge human research laboratories, BRIC will include an MRI suite with the most advanced 3-Tesla scanner in the region. It will critically advance our enquiry toward the most advanced brain research, improved radiological diagnostics and better patient care.
