NIHR Clinical Research Facility: Oxford Health

Research Delivery Forum (RDF) 2026
2026-05-10 - 2026-05-12 | Hilton Birmingham Metropole, Pendigo Way, Marston Green, Birmingham, B40 1PP
RDF26 is the UK’s leading event for health and care research leadership, management, and strategy. Bringing together professionals from across the UK, RDF26 is where the community comes together to share ideas, showcase best practice, and shape the future of health and care research & development.
Sponsorship, exhibitor and delegate registration now available
RDF26 will take place in Birmingham, 10–12 May 2026. Whether you’re attending as a delegate, showcasing your organisation as an exhibitor, or amplifying your brand through sponsorship, now’s the time to secure your place.
Book now to make the most of early bird rates: Register now

Integrating Economic Evaluation into Clinical Trials
2026-04-28 - 2026-04-29 | Online
In modern healthcare research, demonstrating that new treatments are cost-effective is as important as showing they are clinically effective. This short course equips participants with the knowledge and skills to plan and incorporate economic evaluation into clinical trials from the start. Through a combination of theory and practical exercises, the course helps ensure that a trial’s outcomes can inform real-world decisions about the value for money of new interventions.
More information and registration.

Informed Consent
2026-04-23 09:00 - 13:00 (Europe/London) | Online
Half-day workshop to explore the informed consent process in more depth.
NIHR account needed.

Regulatory Inspection Ready
2026-04-21 | Online
This course is aimed at those who deliver research in a healthcare setting either in a Sponsor team or as a Host, and that maybe subject to regulatory inspection. Preparation for Inspection is critical but compliance driven from preparation rather than from quality systems can lead to poor practice and Inspection findings.
Last minute changes just prior to a visit can be very unhelpful and in some cases misleading and so this course will help delegates understand how to become inspection-ready for any inspection. Delegates will learn strategies that build confidence for an inspection from any of the regulators for example the MHRA, Human Tissue Authority or Human Embryology & Fertilisation Authority.
More information and registration.

Register now: Free Public Talk on Neurodiversity and Research
2026-04-20 17:30 - 19:00 | Rewley House, 1 Wellington Square, Oxford, OX1 2JA
April marks Autism Acceptance Month, an important opportunity to move beyond awareness and focus on meaningful inclusion.
As understanding of neurodiversity grows, so too does recognition of the need for research that better reflects and supports neurodivergent communities. Yet despite increasing attention, neurodivergent people remain under-represented in many areas of mental health research.
Join us for a special podcast-style panel conversation featuring 3 expert brain and mental health researchers who will explore two complementary perspectives.
The discussion will consider how neurodivergent participants can be more effectively included within broader mental and brain health research, as well as the importance of designing research projects specifically tailored for neurodivergent communities from the outset.
Together, we will reflect on the opportunities, challenges and responsibilities involved in building more inclusive research practices. How can we design studies that are accessible, respectful and responsive? What does genuine inclusion look like in practice?
Speakers:

Professor Clare Mackay is a Professor of Neuroscience at the University of Oxford whose research uses neuroimaging to understand risk for psychiatric and neurodegenerative conditions, alongside leading translational work through the Oxford Centre for Human Brain Activity and the NIHR Oxford Health Biomedical Research Centre (OH BRC). More recently, she has developed a significant academic and advocacy focus on body‑focused repetitive behaviours, including trichotillomania, working to improve understanding, reduce stigma and develop better interventions for this under‑served community.

Dr Eri Ichijo is a Postdoctoral Research Associate at the Oxford University Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging . Her research aims to improve our understanding of pain experience in the autistic population. She is particularly interested in exploring the relationship between the cognitive modulation of pain and individual differences.

Dr Alice Quinton is a Postdoctoral Research Associate at the University of Oxford’s Department of Experimental Psychology. Her research focuses on interventions for anxiety-related mental imagery (or “flashforwards”) with a particular interest in the experiences of neurodivergent young adults.

Questions will be put to the speakers by event host Andreia Costa, Project Manager for Training & Career Development at OH BRC and Chair of the Neurodiversity & Disability Working Group at University of Oxford’s Department of Psychiatry. Andreia is an advocate for the neurodivergent community and hosts the Neurodiverse Voices Podcast.

There are 100 spaces available in the Lecture Theatre, which will be allocated on a first come basis.
Please use this public talk registration form to sign up for a place.

Coffee is available in the common room from 5:30pm and the event will start promptly at 6:00pm.
Any questions email: Sophie.Ray@oxfordhealth.nhs.uk

New hope for bipolar disorder: the evidence you need now
2026-03-30 11:00 - 12:30 | Online
Join us on World Bipolar Day for an evidence-based webinar on bipolar disorder, hosted by the Mental Elf.

Bipolar disorder affects approximately 1-2% of the population and is characterised by recurrent episodes of mania or hypomania and depression. It’s associated with significant functional impairment, high rates of co-morbidity, and reduced life expectancy.
Despite effective treatments being available, many people experience delayed diagnosis, inadequate treatment, and frequent relapses. Access to specialist care is inconsistent across the UK. Long-term outcomes remain poor for many, with residual symptoms and social disability common even between episodes.
System-level barriers, including late diagnosis in primary care, limited access to psychological therapies, and poor integration between physical and mental health services, prevent people from receiving optimal care.
This webinar is delivered in collaboration with the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Mental Health Translational Research Collaboration (MH-TRC) Mission Mood Disorder Network.
More information and registration on Eventbrite.

Bridging Culture, Faith, and Mental Health Research: Improving Engagement with African, Caribbean and Asian Communities
2026-03-25 10:00 - 15:45 | The Old Library, Gibb Street, Birmingham, B9 4AT
This event aims to build an increased appreciation and understanding of how culture and religion shape perceptions of mental health and research – and how we can use these insights to improve inclusive research practice and engagement strategies.
Through a mix of talks, sharing and workshops, we’ll explore practical ways to enhance and shift our approach to engaging communities, discussing where research and PPIEP can be designed in synergy with faith concepts, making it more relatable and accessible.
You’ll leave with tangible approaches and ideas to embed into your work, strengthening both research quality and community partnerships.
This event has originated from the Oxford Health BRC Partners EDI Working Group and is co-hosted with our partners Sheffield Health Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust, University of Sheffield, Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust, University of Birmingham and Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust Clinical Research Facility (CRF), and in collaboration with Birmingham BRC.
Register Here
What to Expect:

Expert Talks & Presentations

Deep-End Research Alliance, University of Sheffield – Community Researcher Toolkit
Gulamabbas Lakha, Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford
SACMHA Health & Social Care – community experiences of engaging in Mental Health and Research initiatives

Workshops, including one facilitated by Youth Advisors from the Midlands Advisory Group (MAG) – Mental Health Mission Midlands Translational Centre
Marketplace & Networking – Connect with other community organisations, as well as researchers and community engagement professionals nationally
Reflection & Action – Consolidate insights and plan next steps for inclusive research practice.
Fully catered lunch and refreshments throughout the day

Why Attend?

Understand how cultural and religious factors influence mental health and research participation.
Learn practical approaches to engage underrepresented communities in research.
Build partnerships that strengthen inclusive and impactful research.

Who is it for?
Mental Health Researchers and professionals working in PPIE, research inclusion or community engagement would benefit most from this event. Priority booking is for staff from Oxford Health BRC and their Partner organisations, however it will be shared more widely if capacity allows.
Community and faith representatives have also been directly invited to share their invaluable insight. If you would like to attend on behalf of a community organisation or faith, we would be interested to hear from you!
Register Here
There are only a limited number of spaces available, we will confirm attendance by email.
If you have any questions about the event, please contact OH BRC EDI Project Manager, Lizzie Carline

Medical Research Council public partnerships in research webinar
2026-03-24 14:00 - 15:00 | Online
Join the Medical Research Council (MRC) for a one-hour webinar which provides guidance on effectively integrating public partnerships into MRC research applications on 24 March 2026, from 2pm to 3pm.
It is likely to be of most interest to researchers, research office professional services staff supporting grant applications, and the public involvement and engagement community.
MRC is encouraging its research community to consider how public partnerships can inform and improve research and be of mutual benefit.
Further information can be found on their public partnerships strategy webpages, including examples of good practice for researchers.
Register here: https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/7f55557b-ed55-473f-94e5-1ffde4cd6e8b@8bb7e08e-daa4-4a8e-927e-fca38db04b7e

Introduction to public involvement with research training
2026-03-18 12:30 - 14:00, 2025-12-09 12:30 - 14:00 | Online
Are you a researcher who wants to know more about Patient and Public Involvement (PPI)?
Are you a researcher who is looking for reliable online resources to help get you started with PPI?
Are you a PPI lead or responsible for PPI in your team or theme looking for support and information?
If so, NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre together with Oxford University’s Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences are pleased to invite you to a training session on how to involve patients and the public in your research work.
Join us online via Teams.
For further information please email: Angeli.Vaid@ouh.nhs.uk or Polly.Kerr@phc.ox.ac.uk

The Clinical Trials Regulations: Countdown to Implementation webinar
2026-03-12 14:00 - 16:00 | Online
The Health Research Authority (HRA) and Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) are holding a webinar about the changes to clinical trials regulations that come into effect on 28 April 2026.
The webinar will cover the key changes in the updated regulations, the published guidance to support you through the transition, and have HRA and MHRA experts on hand to answer your questions.
The link the register can be found here
The webinar will be recorded, so if you can’t join, the recording will be made available soon after.
If you have any queries about the webinar, please email conferences@mhra.gov.uk

Informed consent
2026-03-10 09:00 - 13:00 | Online
This half-day workshop explores the informed consent process.
*NIHR login required*
More information.

Introduction to the News Media seminar
2026-03-05 13:00 - 17:00 | University of Birmingham, Edgbaston Campus, Birmingham
The Introduction to the News Media seminar, hosted by the Science Media Centre, takes place Thursday 5 March 2026, from 1pm to 5pm, at Elgar Concert Hall, Bramall Music Building, Edgbaston campus, University of Birmingham, B15 2TT.
This free seminar is designed specifically for scientists with little or no media experience who want to engage with journalists and the news media.
Scientists, engineers and medics in academia or industry from any institution (postdoctoral level or professional equivalent and above; senior scientists are particularly welcome).
The seminar includes:

A talk from a Science Media Centre press officer, demonstrating clear examples of the way great researchers engaging with the media improves the quality of science being reported
A talk from an institutional science press officer who explains what support is available to scientists wanting to interact with journalists
A rare opportunity to listen to and question a panel of national news science journalists about the way they report science, what they need from you and how best to engage with them to get the most accurate coverage
A panel of several scientists who will share positive and negative accounts of their media experiences.

Travel
The best way to travel to the venue at the University of Birmingham is by train. The closest station is called “University”.
Please see the University of Birmingham webpage with directions on how to get to the Edgbaston campus, where the event is taking place.
Register your interest
Please fill in this form to register your interest: Introduction to the News Media 2026 Registration form.
Places will be confirmed via email at a later date and a full program for the day will be shared.
For any queries, please email introduction@sciencemediacentre.org.
If you register for this event, please inform the Research and Development Communications Team by emailing either sarah.marr@oxfordhealth.nhs.uk or sophie.ray@oxfordhealth.nhs.uk.

Why People Say Yes (or No): The Psychology of Trial Participation
2026-03-05 10:00 - 11:30 | Online
Colleagues are welcome to join this online workshop applies behavioural science to the real-world decisions people make about taking part in research. You’ll be introduced to fast, automatic thinking (System 1) and slow, deliberate thinking (System 2) and use them to map key decision points across the recruitment journey. You’ll identify what can drive early awareness and interest in research, and what supports a confident, well-informed decision at consent, so the recruitment pathway can be designed to be both effective and ethically robust.
The workshop includes short reflective exercises to increase awareness of how unconscious bias, assumptions, and “snap judgements” can influence the behaviour of research staff. You will leave with practical actions to help move unconscious bias into conscious awareness to help support informed, inclusive research design.
By the end of the workshop, you will be able to:

Identify common cognitive biases and where they can show up in recruitment and consent pathways.
Recognise how cultural and social influences can affect decision-making.
Explore your own decision-making defaults and use simple techniques to bring fast judgments into awareness.
Apply behavioural science to design clearer, more motivating participant communications (e.g., recruitment adverts).Read more and register

CHiMES Unplugged: Past, Present & Future
2026-03-04 15:00 - 16:00 | Online
Join us for an engaging showcase of research, successes, and what’s next!
Project Spotlight: Co-Pact, Co-Pics and ATTUNE
The CHiMES Collaborative advances interdisciplinary research, policy, and practice to promote and protect mental health through investigations of cultural psychiatry, health inequalities and eco-social frameworks, advancing inclusive research methods.

Open to the public and the CHiMES community
Insights into how research helps shape better health and wellbeing
An opportunity for you to ask questions and share your thoughts
Sign up here: Microsoft Virtual Events Powered by Teams

Introduction to Health Economic Evaluation
2026-03-03 - 2026-03-04 | Online
This course provides a starting point for anyone involved in the healthcare sector who needs an introduction to the language of economics and economic evaluation. It explains how economists evaluate the costs and benefits of health interventions, and how health economics is used by decision makers in the health services and in the pharmaceutical and medical technology industries.
More information and registration.

GCP Consolidation Session
2026-02-25 09:00 - 12:00 | Oxford Science Park, Conference room 2, Sherrington Building, Magdalen Centre, Robert Robinson Avenue, Littlemore, Oxford, OX4 4GA
The GCP consolidation course is a practical half a day workshop (either face to face
or virtual). You must have completed the online Introduction to GCP eLearning. This
course is not mandatory and does not count towards your GCP refresher.
Why attend?

strengthen your understanding of GCP principles
apply knowledge to real-world scenarios
ensure compliance and confidence in clinical research
ideal for nurses, coordinators, investigators and support
staff
Sign up (NIHR log-in required) Identity Gateway

FREE Public Talk – Can electrodes in the brain treat chronic pain?
2026-02-12 17:30 - 19:00 | Rewley House, 1 Wellington Square, Oxford, OX1 2JA
Deep brain stimulation (DBS) has become a recognised way of tackling tremors in people with Parkinson’s disease. Now this technique – delivering an electrical pulse into the brain – is being explored as a potential treatment for other neurological conditions.
A new study is looking at whether DBS can help to treat chronic pain in people who have suffered a stroke. Central post-stroke pain is a disabling – and currently untreatable – condition which affects areas of the brain and central nervous system that process pain signals.
In this public talk, Alex Green, Professor of Neurosurgery, and Ben Seymour, Professor of Clinical Neuroscience, will discuss the EPIONE study, which is investigating whether DBS could be used to treat CPSP, and discuss whether DBS might be a way of tackling other brain-related conditions.
The EPIONE study (Effective Pain Interventions with Neural Engineering) is supported by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Oxford and Oxford Health Biomedical Research Centres (BRC), who are jointly organising this talk.
FREE entry, no booking required.
Refreshments from 5.40pm, for a 6pm start.

OH BRC Lunch & Learn Managing a research career and a family (hybrid)
2026-02-10 12:30 - 14:00 | Hybrid
This is a hybrid session, taking place in person at the Department of Psychiatry, Common Room and on Teams.
Balancing a research career with family life can be rewarding but also very challenging. This “Lunch & Learn” is designed for anyone who is juggling—or considering juggling—research and family responsibilities.
We will explore key principles, practical tips, and lived realities around this topic, including funding eligibility and opportunities for carers, basic parental leave and related rights, and the support you can get at work and at home. The session will also address how to use clear boundaries and communication in your professional and private life, alongside ‘hacks’ to for time and energy management particularly relevant to researchers who are parents.
Lunch will be provided to those attending in-person.
Microsoft Virtual Events Powered by Teams

Informed Consent
2026-01-28 09:00 - 13:00

Ethnicity Inclusion in Health and Care Research
2026-01-27 10:30 - 12:00 | Online
We’re delighted to invite you to an informative online session on practical tools for ethnicity inclusion in health research. As a researcher or research clinician, this event is a fantastic opportunity to enhance your approach to including people and communities from diverse ethnicities in your research.
These sessions are for:

Research staff affiliated with the following Biomedical Research Centres: Barts, Birmingham, Cambridge, Moorfields, Oxford and Oxford HealthMore information and registration: Microsoft Virtual Events Powered by Teams

Save the Date: NMAHPPs Research Career Showcase
2026-01-21 10:00 - 13:00 | Online
Save the date for this upcoming career showcase!
Calling all nurses, midwives, allied health professionals, healthcare scientists, pharmacists, and psychologists (NMAHPPs).
We are excited to announce the upcoming NMAHPPs Research Careers Showcase being hosted by the NIHR Oxford Health BRC and taking place online on Wednesday, 21 January 2026, from 10:00 to 13:00.
This inspiring event will bring together clinicians and researchers to explore how engaging in research can shape the future of healthcare and open new opportunities for career development.
The aim of the showcase is to:

Inspire you to see how research can be part of your professional journey
Connect you with colleagues and role models who are already making an impact
Explore the skills, support, and pathways available to get started

We have secured the attendance of Professor Anne- Maree Keenan, currently Chair of Applied Health Research, University of Leeds and Academic Capacity Development Lead for the NIHR Leeds Biomedical Research Centre (BRC). Anne -Maree’s involvement as an Associate Dean of the NIHR Academy has led to her willingness to deliver our keynote address. In this she aims to convey the significant rise of healthcare professionals undertaking research, why this is important both for healthcare and the career development of the workforce and what we need to do to embed research in roles.

Integrating Economic Evaluation into Clinical Trials: Mental Health Module
2026-01-20 10:00 - 12:30 | Online
The session is suited to anyone involved in designing, running, or managing brain and mental health trials who wants to incorporate a health economic perspective: clinical investigators, trial managers, research nurses, and other professionals seeking introductory guidance. The material is accessible without an economics background, although very basic familiarity with core concepts is helpful. If you are completely new to health economics, we recommend attending the 1-hour “An introduction to Health Economics” session first.
More information: Microsoft Virtual Events Powered by Teams

Clinical Trials Legislation and GCP update webinars
2026-01-16 09:30 - 10:30 | Online
Introduction to the updates in Good Clinical Practice and the UK Clinical Trial Regulations (The Medicines for Human Use (Clinical Trials) (Amendment) Regulations 2025).
16 January, 9:30am to 10:30am via Zoom and 29 January, 1pm to 2pm via Zoom.
Please email sc.rrdn@nihr.ac.uk to book

AcoRD
2026-01-14 10:00 - 12:30 | Oxford Science Park, Conference room 2, Sherrington Building, Magdalen Centre, Robert Robinson Avenue, Littlemore, Oxford, OX4 4GA
This workshop covers the principles of the AcoRD guidance, discusses the main costing categories and uses examples and activities to increase understanding.
14 January 10am to 12.30pm face-to-face RRDN Office, Oxford Science Park

Christmas Carol Concert
2025-12-22 16:30 - 17:30 | Warneford Hospital, Warneford Lane, Oxford, OX3 7JX
Join Oxford Health Clinical Research Facility colleagues on Monday 22 December from 4.30pm, outside of the main Warneford Hospital reception for a festive Christmas Carol Concert.
All are welcome to attend and there will be a collection for Oxford Health Charity.

Christmas Choir Concert

Next Steps in Delivering Clinical Research: 2 day course
2025-12-15 09:00 - 16:30 | Academic Centre, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford
This 2 day course is aimed at research delivery staff that have contact with research participants.
Dates: 15 December and 8 January
Times: 9am to 4.30pm
Location: The Academic Centre, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford
*NIHR login required* Identity Gateway

Socio-economic disadvantage inclusion training
2025-12-08 10:00 - 11:30 | Online
We’re delighted to invite you to an informative session (online) on practical tools for socio-economic disadvantage inclusion in health research. This event is a fantastic opportunity to enhance your approach to including people and communities from diverse ethnicities in your research.
Speakers:
Dr Heidi Green is a Health Equity and Patient Involvement Specialist and a Creative Qualitative Researcher who co-developed the NIHR INCLUDE Socio-economic disadvantage framework, which has been designed to aid researchers, who are designing clinical trials, to consider barriers to including patients from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds in their trial. The framework can also help researchers to develop strategies to attempt to address such barriers in order to improve the design and conduct of clinical research.
With over a decade of experience leading the design and delivery of innovative and award-winning projects, Heidi is an experienced health equity specialist, creative qualitative researcher, and lived experience advocate. Her mission is to embed accessibility and inclusivity into all of the projects she’s involved in, driving change for those that stand to benefit most.
A Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre researcher (TBC) will present on how they have included socially disadvantaged communities in their research.
There will be lots of opportunities for you to ask questions from experienced and knowledgeable speakers to support your research.
These sessions are for:

Research staff affiliated with the following Biomedical Research Centres: Barts, Birmingham, Cambridge, Moorfields, Oxford and Oxford Health

GCP Consolidation online workshop
2025-12-05 09:30 - 13:00 | Online
Interactive workshop to consolidate the key learnings from the Introduction to GCP e-learning. 15 January, 9:30am to 1pm via Zoom
*NIHR log-in required*

Principal Investigator Essentials face to face and virtual workshops
2025-12-03 09:00 - 12:00 | Online
A programme to support new, potential and experienced principal investigators.
3 December, 9am to midday via Zoom.
*NIHR login required* Identity Gateway
