**The eight Translational Research Groups ceased to operate in August 2016. HSC R&D Division are currently considering how best to support this important area of research in the future**
HSC R&D Division considers translational research as enabling research discoveries to be effectively translated into improvements in human health including new treatments for patients, as well as ensuring that the outcomes for patients are fed back to clinicians and researchers to stimulate further research and education.
For several years up to 2016 HSC R&D Division funded eight Translational Research Groups (TRGs). The purpose of TRGs was to bring together multidisciplinary teams of local researchers with the aim of supporting translational research in Northern Ireland.
The TRGs aimed to:
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promote collaboration and cross fertilisation of ideas between researchers of different disciplines from across University, Health & Social Care and the voluntary sectors.
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encourage a focus on research with high impact outputs and of relevance to stakeholders, supported by industry partnerships where appropriate.
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provide an environment within which the translation of research into policy and clinical practice and the translation of clinical problems to research are prioritised. This should include the dissemination of research and good practice between researchers, practitioners, user groups and policy makers.
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seek to enable an environment which enhances competiveness in the delivery of nationally and/or internationally funded research in Northern Ireland.
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provide an environment for capacity building/training/mentoring in the area of translational research and within which learning can be shared.
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promote Northern Ireland research visibility through developing and strengthening national and international research links.
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form links with Clinical Research Networks both within Northern Ireland (NI Clinical Research Network, NI Cancer Trials Network and NI Public Health Network) and beyond.
The eight TRGs were:
|
TRG |
chair of TRG |
|---|---|
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Cancer |
Biomedical Sciences Research Institute, Ulster University
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Child Health & Wellbeing |
Psychology Research Institute, School of Psychology, Ulster University
|
|
Critical Care |
School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences, Centre for Infection and Immunity, QUB
|
|
Diabetes, Endocrinology & Nutrition |
R&D Nursing, Western Health & Social Care Trust/ Nursing Research, Ulster University
|
|
Infection & Immunity |
School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences, Centre for Infection and Immunity, QUB
|
|
Mental Health, Ageing & Learning Disability |
Consultant Psychiatrist, Northern Health & Social Care Trust/ Senior Lecturer in Psychiatry, QUB
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Musculoskeletal & Rehabilitation |
School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences, Centre for Infection and Immunity, QUB
|
|
Vision |
Principal Optometrist, Belfast Health & Social Care Trust
|