Call for Colleagues to Join Luton Research Hub

The monthly research hub sessions are open to research active clinicians and any other colleagues interested to finding out about research, who have a research idea or want to know more about their research studies their service users could access.

The partnership hub was launched in September 2024 with the aim of increasing research capacity in Luton & Bedfordshire, promoting a collaborative research culture. It also aims to improve representation in research, with people participation and equity, diversity and inclusivity embedded into all hub activities.

A theory of change and strategy for the hub was co-designed with a team of ELFT clinicians, academics, professional staff and people participation colleagues.

They created an overall vision: 'To create a thriving research community in Bedfordshire, where our research empowers individuals, families and communities to take charge of their health and fosters a culture of collaboration, to improve population health and wellbeing'.

The hub team have been successful in obtaining funding for their first collaborative project to focus on children & young people's health in Luton.

“Our ELFT research priorities will be fed into the BLMK research strategy and we work closely with Health Innovation East and the BLMK Heads of Research and Innovation to ensure any opportunities are made available to our staff and service users,” said Dr Angharad Ruttley, Medical Director, Luton and Bedfordshire Mental Health and Wellbeing Services.

Dr Shobhana Nagraj, University of Cambridge research hub lead, said: “The aim of our research is to improve population health by conducting high-quality research that benefits patients and our communities, using innovative methodologies.

“We hold monthly research hub meetings. If anyone is interested in joining our community of practice, please let us know and we will add you to the mailing list."