Mind the gap – connecting research to relevance
In this blog, HRB post-doctoral intern John-Mark Fitzpatrick illustrates how the HRB supports getting research findings in front of the right audiences via the HRB's Conference and Events Sponsorship (CES) scheme, and shares testimonials from grant-holders on some of the many conferences and events this important scheme has funded.
6 min read - 29 Jan 2024
The HRB’s CES scheme creates opportunities for HRB-funded researchers, institutions, organisations and charities to host health and social care research-related events, workshops, and conferences in Ireland. It has been running since 2018 and supported over 100 events. The 2024 round of the CES scheme opened in early January and the deadline for applications is Thursday 8 February 2024.
The previous round of funded grants was announced in April 2023 and approximately €100,000 was awarded to 18 events. Funding went to conferences and events such as ‘The 8th Annual Public and Patient Involvement Summer School’, ‘Digital Mental Health: A shared vision for research, policy and practice’ and ‘Measuring Outcomes of Social Prescribing’.
The CES scheme helps researchers to disseminate their research to larger audiences, promote national and international collaboration, and share the impact of their research on patient care and health service delivery. By doing this, the HRB hopes to build awareness around the excellent health and social care research we are funding in Ireland, highlight the impact it is having on policy and practice and create opportunities for collaboration and networking.
To demonstrate the type of projects supported through this scheme we invited some award recipients to share testimonials which I hope convey the importance and impact of the CES scheme over time, as well as the diverse range of topics and events it involves.
Translating Neurological Research into Clinical Practice – FutureNeuro Clinical Conference
RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Oct 2018
Award holder: Bridget Doyle, Centre Manager, Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) FutureNeuro Research Centre
“FutureNeuro is the SFI Research Centre for chronic and rare neurological disease. The goal of our conference was to bring together neurologists, specialist nurses, advocacy groups, patient representatives and researchers to address the most relevant research questions in the treatment of neurological diseases.
“A panel of national and international speakers across our three thematic areas of Diagnostics, Therapeutics and eHealth focussed on our two main disease areas, Motor Neurone Disease (MND) and epilepsy. Speakers included Dame Professor Pamela Shaw, a world leading expert on MND; a young woman with early-onset MND; and a representative from an industry partner who gave his dual perspective of parenting children with significant neurological challenges while also developing new diagnostic pathways for epilepsy.”
Refugee and Migrant Health Research Networking & Knowledge Exchange Seminar: An arts-based event
December 2022, University of Limerick (UL)
Award holder: Dr Kathleen Markey, the Department of Nursing and Midwifery, UL
“This innovative seminar was co-designed with the Department of Nursing and Midwifery, the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance, School of Medicine, School of Allied Health, UL and Doras (Non-Government Organisation for Migrants). The hybrid seminar brought people from university, community and healthcare settings together to examine evidence from Irish refugee and migrant health research about language and cultural barriers, holistic health and well-being, and mental health.
“This seminar provided an essential overview of national research which will help optimise refugee and migrant health in Ireland. Music, singing and visual art created a welcoming and culturally sensitive space for discussion. Keynote presentations included those by Ms Kristrina Mauer-Stender from the World Health Organisation (WHO) Regional Office for Europe and Professor Helen Phelan, Professor Ailish Hannigan and Professor Anne MacFarlane, UL.”
The Past, Present and Future of our Emergency Medical Services: Stakeholder Consultation on the Implementation of a National Research Strategy for Paramedicine in Ireland
January 2023, University of Limerick (UL)
Award holder: Dr Niamh Cummins, Lecturer in Public Health, School of Medicine, UL
“Emergency Medical Services (EMS) have evolved rapidly in recent years and paramedicine now comprises a complex network of allied health professionals in diverse roles. However, research is particularly challenging in the unpredictable out-of-hospital setting. The statutory regulator for Irish EMS, the Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council (PHECC) has commissioned a team of researchers from the Irish Paramedicine Education and Research Network (IPERN) and international partners to draft a new national Research Strategy for Irish EMS.
“In January 2023, UL hosted a CES-funded seminar on EMS. The programme included an overview of previous Irish pre-hospital research and was followed by the draft research strategy. Focus groups then provided a forum for consultation with knowledge users on the barriers and facilitators to the implementation of the strategy. The seminar concluded with an inter-professional panel discussion of the strategy with national representatives from paramedicine, emergency medicine, nursing, general practice, allied health and public health.”
The 6th Diabetes-Self-Management Alliance (DSMA) conference
November 2022, Queen’s University Belfast
Award holder: Professor Sean Dinneen, University of Galway
“The DSMA aims to work in partnership with people living with diabetes to improve the ways they are supported to manage their chronic condition. The conference gave people, including those living with diabetes, healthcare professionals and researchers the opportunity to share their experiences, learn from each other and work together to promote future research and development in this important area.
“People living with diabetes co-designed the programme, which included a panel discussion about the challenges of implementing diabetes technology. The conference also included nine workshops co-designed and co-delivered by people living with diabetes on different aspects of diabetes self-management support.”
The 15th International Family Nursing Conference (IFNC15)
June/July 2021 (5 days), online.
Award holder: Professor Veronica Lambert, Children and Family Nursing, Dublin City University
“Over five days, 350 delegates from 29 countries explored the latest education, practice, research, and health policy/leadership issues related to our conference theme ‘Family Nursing Throughout the Life-course’. Presenters and delegates highlighted leading issues and innovations in family health and wellbeing through facilitated networking, raising visibility, supporting next generation socialisation and by promoting family care in health and illness.
“There were 188 podium presentations across research, education, practice and policy; and three poster sessions with 66 presenters. Feedback from delegates rated their conference experience as overwhelmingly positive. They valued the excellent range and quality of presenters and the opportunities to connect and network through virtual social tables. The diversity of the programme was particularly inspirational for PhD students and early career researchers.”
‘Towards a Refreshed National Carers Strategy – From Research to Policy’
November 2019
Award holder: Zoe Hughes, Senior Policy and Research Officer, Care Alliance Ireland
“Following on from successful conferences in 2015 and 2017, Care Alliance Ireland, in partnership with University College Dublin School of Nursing, Midwifery and Health Systems, hosted their third biennial conference in 2019 as funded by the CES scheme. It concentrated on research with the potential to positively inform and impact the development of progressive family carer policy in Ireland.
“The conference featured presentations on diverse topics such as the health impacts of family caring, using Census data to track policy changes and impact over time, and supporting young carers. Presenters included family carers, graduate students, academics and researchers from the voluntary sector. Attendees gained a deeper understanding of family carer issues in Ireland and how we can further drive development of progressive family carers policy in Ireland. Research presented has been used to advocate for a refreshed National Carers Strategy, an action point included in the 2020 Programme for Government.”
A big thank you to all the researchers who submitted their testimonials.
Learn more about the HRB’s CES scheme here.
Ends.
6 min read - 29 Jan 2024