The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Applied Research Collaboration (ARC) South West is a regional partnership focused on improving health and care through applied research.
About us
NIHR ARC South West builds on the work of the former PenARC (Applied Research Collaboration South West Peninsula), and ARC West expands the collaboration across a wider geography. From April 2026, it brings together the Universities of Plymouth, Exeter and Bristol, alongside NHS organisations, local authorities, and community partners across the South West.
The collaboration is funded by the NIHR and is part of a national network of Applied Research Collaborations.
What we do
We work with health and care organisations, researchers, and the public to carry out research that addresses local priorities and supports improvements in services and outcomes.
Our work focuses on:
- generating high-quality applied research
- supporting the use of evidence in practice
- building research capacity across the health and care system
- working in partnership.
A key feature of ARC South West is its collaborative approach. We work closely with partners across the region to ensure research reflects local needs and can be applied in practice.
ARC South West directly funds a number of staff and PhD students. Our research falls under six main themes, each with its own academic lead. Explore details of our current and completed projects.
This includes working with patients, service users and communities, and supporting a workforce that can develop and use research to improve care.
Research themes and leads
- Dementia and neurological conditions
- ageing well
- children and young people's health
- methods for research and implementation
- mental health
- prevention
ARC South West is represented in the Faculty of Health by Deputy Director
Professor Richard Byng and a team of research fellows and support staff. Professor Byng is also a GP, Professor in Primary Care, and Director of our
Community and Primary Care Research Centre (CPCRC) .
