Partnerships

Embedding the patient voice

A standout feature of HealthBRIDGE is its partnership with the Association of Medical Research Charities (AMRC). Through this exciting initiative, HealthBRIDGE students will have the opportunity to be partnered with a UK medical research charity whose focus aligns with a disease or health issue relevant to their PhD project. Collaborating directly with their partner, through activities such as patient and public involvement, placements, engagement activities, and networking with advocacy groups, students will gain first-hand insight into the people and communities their research aims to benefit. These experiences will help them to develop the skills and perspectives needed to deliver research that is not only scientifically excellent, but also meaningful, inclusive, and impactful.

“Medical research charities bring unique expertise and insight to research, rooted in the needs and experiences of patients and the communities they support. We’re pleased to be partnering with HealthBRIDGE to give students the opportunity to learn from our members and build meaningful connections with the sector.” – Chris Macdonald, Director of Research and Impact, AMRC

HealthBRIDGE students will also have the opportunity to develop links with patient and public advisory networks through the Imperial College Academic Health Science Centre, the university’s Patient Experience Research Centre, National Voices, and the Mohn Centre for Children’s Health and Wellbeing.

Research at academic-industry interface

Imperial has an excellent history of MRC-funded collaborative projects with industrial partners – start-ups, small-medium enterprises (SME) and non-SMEs. For examples of recent projects, visit the MultiSci iCASE webpages

Building on support for HealthBRIDGE’s from a range of industry sector supporters – including Paddington Life Sciences, Scale Space, and Nexus Upstream London – students will be encouraged and facilitated to similarly integrate an industry parter into their PhD projects. These collaborative projects will include a minimum three-month placement with the partner and other benefits such as access to:

• Commercially focused, dynamic, translational research environments;
• Specialist equipment, advanced facilities and infrastructure, or proprietary resources e.g., datasets, therapeutics;
• Guidance and mentorship from a non-academic perspective;
• Knowledge transfer and industry leadership skills training.