Last month (September), the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Applied Research Collaboration Kent Surrey and Sussex's (ARC KSS) Academy held its fourth annual Research Week to support the learning and development of applied health and social care researchers from across the region.
More than 500 registrations were received to take part in a line-up of online learning and development events, research insight talks and presentations aimed primarily at early career researchers, PhD students and independent researchers and bringing people together from academia and the health and social care professions.
Focussed on the theme of ARC KSS Research Capacity Impact: a Vision for the Future, this year's Research Week included a blend of, online sessions and an in-person, whole day symposium, hosted by the University of Surrey.
The programme included a celebration of the outstanding examples of research capacity impact, as part of a poster competition, a range of presenters from the ARC KSS themes, as well as external speakers, including:
- Patrick Nyikavaranda, Managing Director, Diversity Resource International and ARC KSS PhD candidate, who spoke about the benefits of community research, how it aligns with and expands upon co-production principles, and gave practical strategies for researchers to establish meaningful partnerships with community stakeholders.
- Gina Walton, Digital and Innovation Lead at Kent County Council & co-lead of Kent Research Partnership and Olivia Trapp, Research Facilitator, Kent County Council presented on the progress they have made in building a culture of research in adult social care in Kent and the importance of developing research culture and infrastructure across the health and social care sectors in the region.
- Dr Gillian Orrow, GP and Director of Growing Health Together, NHS Surrey Heartlands gave a keynote speech on ‘Growing Health Together: a place-based approach to prevention and health creation in East Surrey’.
Further details and links to the presentations and recordings that took place throughout the week can be found on the Research Week web page. For colleagues that were unable to join the in-person symposium, a showcase video of the day was recorded which we are excited to share with you in the coming weeks.
Feedback on the week has included:
“As a Public Contributor I felt very included in the sessions and felt that my contributions and questions were valued equally to those of the researchers taking part”.
“Watching and listening to others present their research was very helpful. It gave the opportunity to observe different presentation styles, confidence with one's subject and skill at conveying that to others”
Dr Julie MacInnes, Research Capacity Co-Lead at ARC KSS, said:
“Once again, this year's Research Week has been a wonderful opportunity to engage with our researcher networks across Kent, Surrey and Sussex, bringing together researchers, communities and public members to share insights and support learning and development.
"As we looked back on the impact of the ARC Academy over the last five years, I was delighted to hear more about the excellent and innovative research taking place in our region which is truly making a difference to the health and wellbeing of people in Kent, Surrey and Sussex, as well as supporting the development of researchers.
"I'd like to thank everyone that helped make this event such a success, including the University of Surrey, who kindly hosted the in-person event and all the presenters and attendees. We really hope that you all enjoyed the week and, if you have not already done so, please fill in our feedback form. Your comments will help us to develop new ideas and plan next year's event."
