Research at the Faculty of Health Studies
The research world within our faculty is a rich, energetic and diverse culture of activity. We contribute to some of the key health and illness challenges across the human lifespan as well as into the equally important spheres of health policy and practice.
Research staff
Our academic staff have strong backgrounds in health care practice but also in the behavioural, social and biomedical sciences.
We are publicly acknowledged international leaders in several distinctive areas such as applied dementia research, inclusion and diversity, and quality and patient safety. Our Centre for Applied Dementia Studies, for example, won the 2015 Queens Anniversary Prize. Many of our academic leaders have been awarded national prizes and honours for their work in their respective fields.
Research policy
We have a distinguished professoriate in policy and practice research.
We have a strong and ever growing cohort of doctoral students who come to us for our authoritative expertise, strong supervision, and student support. We enjoy major collaborations and partnerships in research across other faculties in the university, with colleagues across the NHS, and with other university research centres across the country. The newly opened (2019) Wolfson Centre for Applied Health Research now enhances our clinical and public health research between academics within our faculty and applied health researchers at the University of Leeds and the research centres at the Bradford royal Infirmary (BRI). It is a particularly exciting time to be a researcher in our Faculty of Health Studies.
Health and Wellbeing across the Lifespan
Our research across the life span focuses on a diversity of methodologies within public health research and this includes health services research, community development and engagement, intervention and implementation sciences, health policy, and behavioral and social sciences research. We address both the social and clinical epidemiological problems from childhood to old age, including dementia and end of life care. Furthermore, we take a critical approach to our public health concerns taking care to examine issues concerning access, diversity and inclusion, social justice, and health and social care user engagement and participation. The Faculty supports an active and thriving Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) group which assists us in a variety of research development curriculum development tasks and processes within the Faculty.
Professional Practice Development
Our research in professional practice development takes several major forms and these, like our public health research concerns, inform our teaching at every level, including postgraduate supervision interests. Our practice research tends to focus on diagnostics, leadership, therapeutic interventions, and pedagogy. There has been a strong and longstanding interest in improving and innovating clinical practice and this has included research into how we can improve and innovate around learning and teaching for the health professions during and after initial training.
Health and Wellbeing across the Lifespan
Our research across the life span focuses on a diversity of methodologies within public health research and this includes health services research, community development and engagement, intervention and implementation sciences, health policy, and behavioural and social sciences research. We address both the social and clinical epidemiological problems from childhood to old age, including dementia and end of life care. Furthermore, we take a critical approach to our public health concerns taking care to examine issues concerning access, diversity and inclusion, social justice, and health and social care user engagement and participation. The Faculty supports an active and thriving Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) group which assists us in a variety of research development curriculum development tasks and processes within the Faculty.
Research and policy centres
Although our research covers a variety of concerns across the spectrum of public health and professional practice the faculty does host two internationally renown research and policy centres.
The Centre for Applied Dementia Studies
The Centre for Applied Dementia Studies is one of the UK’s leading centres for psychosocial research into living well with, and caring well for people with dementia and their families.
Research networks
Our research activities are also highly networked and engaged with busy and active linkages with colleagues from the Faculties of Life Sciences, Engineering and Informatics, as well as Management, Law and the Social Sciences. Much of our work is based on collaborations with colleagues and sites within the NHS and in this context we are significant contributors and participants with The Wolfson Centre for Applied Health Research (CAHR) and the Bradford Institute of Health Research (BIHR) at the Bradford Royal Infirmary.
Our research is funded by NIHR but also philanthropy and charities such as the Alzheimer’s Association.
Research Degrees
We have purpose built, excellent facilities for researchers and a vibrant community of enthusiastic staff and doctoral students.
92% of our research was classified as 4* (World Leading) or 3* (Internationally Excellent). In terms of the Impact of our research and the environment in which research is undertaken 100% was classified as world leading or international excellent.
We invite applications from enthusiastic research students wishing to explore an aspect of practice related to our research clusters.
Find out more about our PhD course at the Faculty of Health Studies
Postgraduate taught degrees
Find out more about our Postgraduate courses - https://www.bradford.ac.uk/courses/pg/
Research themes
Below are a list of major themes of research activity that not only characterize our ingoing interests but also the development and funding activities of our senior academic staff within the faculty. These key research concentrations are commonly associated with the greatest staff activity and postgraduate supervision within our Faculty.
