About the Plymouth Institute of Health and Care Research

Our members:

• produce world leading research
• excel in developing innovative theoretical and methodological approaches
• are committed to knowledge mobilisation - conducting research that engages with the people who are likely to use our research (patients, carers and members of the public, commissioners, voluntary sector professionals, managers, clinicians of various backgrounds, policy makers, third sector and private sector organisations)
• produce research that demonstrably makes a contribution to improving the lives of people and communities, at both a local, national and global level.

Our governance and management

PIHR is an institute within the Faculty of Health (University of Plymouth). The Director, Professor Sheena Asthana heads up the Institute and is responsible for its strategic direction and core support activities. She is supported in this role by the PIHR Manager, Charlie Dorr.

The Institute is overseen by an internal steering group and an external advisory group. Its members also sit on a range of University (the research and innovation committee; REF21 committee; and Arts Institute Management Group) and external (the Advisory Committee on Resource Allocation, Change Grow Live) committees.

Our strategic aims are to:

• promote interdisciplinary research collaboration, within PIHR, across the University and with external collaborators, increasing critical mass and contributing to the achievement of the University’s 2030 Strategy
• ensure our researchers, at whatever stage in their career, receive the support and resources they need to excel (with a particular focus on postgraduate, early-career researchers and teaching staff seeking to (re-) launch their research).
• increase external income for health related research and commercial activity, with a particular focus on interdisciplinary collaborations.
• realise the University’s commitment to knowledge mobilisation by developing stronger links with patient, community, public, private and voluntary stakeholders, and improving public understanding of health-related research.
• develop stronger and sustained collaborations with other universities at a regional, national and international level.
• enhance the regional, national and international profile and reputation of the University’s health-related research and expertise, including the impact they are having outside of academia.  
• ensure our research is inextricably linked to our educative mission and that each informs and enhances the other.