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October 2024 Newsletter

Date: 30 October 2024

Welcome to the Forum October 2024 Newsletter

As we move through the last few months of 2024, the R&D Forum continues to support research across the UK. There have been some exciting developments in the previous months and we continue to ensure that Research, Development, and Innovation colleagues are represented and heard, on the issues that really matter for our community.

It is great to see the level of engagement and support that we all offer to each other. The R&D Forum will continue to provide opportunities through many of our functions, such as working groups, training, our website and consultations on national changes.

One of our groups, ‘Hive Mind,’ is a forum that continues to gain momentum. The Hive Mind provides an opportunity for RD&I colleagues to come together once a month and discuss all aspects of research. The Forum is a great place to have open and honest discussions, often providing solutions to issues through experience of others. This is one example of how the R&D Forum can make an impact on the research landscape and provide a space for shared learning.

Personally, having a network of experts to call upon, share ideas, and problem solve is invaluable. Once again, from all the Trustees, I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all of the community for your continued involvement.

Sean Scott
R&D Forum Trustee

Submit a Poster for Display at RDF25

We would like to thank everyone who has submitted an abstract for presentation at RDF25. RDF24 saw a record number of oral abstracts, and RDF25 has surpassed this record.

Don’t forget we are still accepting abstracts for poster display until November 1st.

Submitting a poster abstract provides you with an opportunity to share your experience and knowledge with the wider community in health and care research at RDF25.

Click below to submit your abstract.

Call for Abstracts

The UK R&D Contacts Directory – Please Review and Update Details

The UK R&D Contacts Directory is a valuable tool that provides the contact details of all R&D offices and non-commercial sponsors across the UK. In England this also includes the associated NIHR Research Delivery Network details.

If you need to make a change, please email us at info@rdforum.org.uk and include the following information:

  • Reference number of your entry
  • The specific changes you require
  • Your position and confirmation that you have permission to request the change

Upcoming Courses

The R&D Forum courses have been designed to support individual development in health research management, support, and leadership.

Bookings are open for our upcoming courses: 

Full details of all our courses and events can be found below.

Find out more

NIHR Updates

Introducing NIHR’s new-look website

The NIHR have announced the launch of their new and improved NIHR website. The look and feel of the updated NIHR website reflect the NIHRs refreshed identity and is part of a number of NIHR websites being refreshed this Autumn.

Read more here

National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Intellectual property (IP) Unit: Stakeholder Engagement Survey Oct 2024

As part of the NIHRs commitment to improving the way they communicate changes to NIHR Contracting and updates in NIHR and wider Policies with NIHR contractors, the NIHR IP Unit invites you to participate in this survey.

Read more here

HRA Update: Updated GDPR Transparency Wording Template for all sponsors

To help ensure research participants have all the information they need to make an informed decision about the use of their data, the HRA has developed a series of GDPR templates that they recommend sponsors use.

Read more here

HRA Update: New inclusion and diversity guidance

The HRA have launched an informal consultation on draft inclusion and diversity guidance they are producing with the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).

The guidance will help ensure research is designed to include people who could be impacted by the findings, and that people underserved by research are not overlooked. The HRA hope that this will help increase the diversity of people taking part in clinical trials and clinical investigations.

Read more here

Responsible Handover of AI Framework and Guidance

This guidance is for anyone looking to safely and effectively use data science and AI tools, to both minimise the risk of harm and maximise their potential to transform a range of sectors.

Read more here

Health and Care Research Wales 2023/2024 Annual Report

The Health and Care Research Wales 2023/2024 Annual Report has been published. The report reflects on “another year of pioneering and cutting-edge research across our community” and looks forward to what can be achieved in Wales in 2024/2025.

Read more here

North Bristol NHS Trust (NBT) has become the first NHS Trust to sign the Concordat for the Environmental Sustainability of Research and Innovation Practice

Developed by the UK research and innovation sector, the voluntary concordat ‘represents a shared ambition for the UK to continue delivering cutting-edge research, but in a more environmentally responsible and sustainable way’.

Clinical trials contribute substantially to greenhouse gas emissions, with average carbon emissions generated per trial of almost 80 tonnes. This is equivalent to the average carbon footprint of one person in the UK for 13 years.

Read more here

Edinburgh Clinical Trial Management Course (ECTMC)

This course has been running for more than two decades, in order to support the professional development of anyone involved or interested in clinical trial management, including Trial Coordinators, Trial Management Support Officers (TMSO), Assistant Trial Managers (ATMs), Trial Managers (TMs), Senior Trial Managers (STMs) and related roles.

The course consists of a variety of workshops, practical tasks and lectures. Several interactive sessions cover key topics associated with setting up and delivering clinical trials. Sessions provide practical guidance and facilitate discussion, information exchange and provide plenty of networking opportunities adjacent to Arthur’s Seat, a mountain in the heart of Edinburgh.

Read more here

Resources

Resources from The Research and Development Forum are there to support health and care research in the UK. Discover the latest resources below.

Find out more

Contacting The Research and Development Forum

As a reminder, should you need to contact the Forum the best way is via email which is info@rdforum.org.uk

The latest job vacancies displayed on our website.

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