Today marks the beginning of the next phase for NIHR ARC East of England. The £15.3 million investment from NIHR, awarded for the period April 2026 to March 2031, will enable the collaboration to continue delivering impactful applied research across the region and beyond.
To mark this occasion, Professor Stephen Morris, Director of NIHR ARC East of England, discusses what this funding means, the ways in which we are working with our partners, and how our collaboration will continue to drive meaningful change.
Watch the interview below:
We have introduced several key changes, including welcoming new colleagues, refreshing our priorities, and updating our objectives to reflect the evolving needs of communities and services. We are pleased to welcome Professor Alejandro Quiroz Flores as our new Co‑Director, while Professor Stephen Morris moves into the role of Director.
Our Research Themes:
- Measurement in Health and Social Care – led by Dr Adam Wagner (University of East Anglia) and co-led by Dr Joanna Reid (University of Cambridge)
- Mental Health and Wellbeing – led by Professor Kristy Sanderson (University of East Anglia) and co-led by Dr Emma Kaminskiy (Anglia Ruskin University)
- Palliative and End-of-Life Care – led by Professor Morag Farquhar (University of East Anglia) and co-led by Dr Ben Bowers (University of Cambridge)
- Prevention and Early Detection in Health and Social Care – led by Dr Claire Thompson (University of Hertfordshire) and co-led by Dr Angus Holford (University of Essex)
- Social Care, Dementia and Ageing – led by Professor Kathryn Almack (University of Hertfordshire) and co-led by Dr Tamara Backhouse (University of East Anglia)
Our Workstreams:
- Knowledge Mobilisation and Implementation for Impact – co-led by Dr Danielle Tucker (University of Essex) and co-led by Dr Sarah Robinson (Health Innovation East)
- Patient and Public Involvement, Engagement and Participation – led by Dr Bryony Porter-Harmer (NIHR ARC East of England)
- Research Capacity Development – led by Dr Naoko Kishita (University of East Anglia) and co-led by Dr Sion Scott (University of East Anglia)
- Research Inclusion – led by Dr Elspeth Mathie (University of Hertfordshire)
“I am pleased to be launching the next phase of NIHR ARC East of England. This is an exciting time for research across our region as we deepen our partnerships, focus on reducing health inequalities, and support health and care services with the evidence they need to deliver meaningful change.”
Professor Stephen Morris, Director of NIHR ARC East of England
We will be hosting our launch event, Looking Forward: Shaping the Future of Health and Care Applied Research, on Tuesday 23 June 2026 at the Maltings in Ely (CB7 4BB). This event marks the start of our next five years and is a key opportunity to share our vision, showcase innovative projects, and discuss how we work together to deliver impact across health and care sectors.