Quality Improvement, pilot, small-scale & data projects conference

Quality Improvement, pilot, small-scale & data projects conference realiza-se a 10 de dezembro de 2026, Univesrity of Sussex, em Falmer.

Are you working on a mental health pilot study, small-scale research project, quality improvement project, or using an existing dataset to explore an important mental health question? The Sussex Mental Health Research (SuMHeR) Centre and the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Applied Research Collaboration Kent, Surrey and Sussex (ARC KSS) Mental Health Innovation and Implementation Theme are inviting expressions of interest to present at a regional conference showcasing mental health research and innovation from across Kent, Surrey and Sussex. We are looking for oral and poster presentations from researchers, practitioners and early career researchers whose work has the potential to improve mental health knowledge, services or outcomes. Why are we holding this event? Across Kent, Surrey and Sussex, there is a wealth of mental health research, quality improvement work and innovative use of data taking place in universities, NHS organisations and other settings. This conference aims to help us better understand the breadth of mental health-related work taking place across Kent, Surrey and Sussex, identify researchers and projects with the potential to influence mental health knowledge or services over the next five years, and inform how ARC KSS Mental Health research clinic funding is allocated. Purpose and opportunities arising from the conference The purpose of this conference is to enable us to understand the breadth of mental health related work across the region; to identify researchers and studies with potential to impact on mental health service knowledge or services over the next 5 years; and to consider how we allocate ARC KSS Mental Health research clinic funding. We are asking for expressions of interest to present a brief (maximum 15 minutes) oral or poster presentation for the conference. We will draw on these presentations when deciding how to allocate funding. There are several potential benefits of submitting an EOI and presenting: An opportunity to receive feedback and support to help develop your project ahead of a separate ARC KSS Mental Health funding call expected to open in January . The call may provide funding for research assistant support, PPI consultation and participant expenses. Selection to present does not confer priority or preferential access to this funding. A small number of selected projects may have the opportunity to collaborate with a dedicated ARC KSS Mental Health PhD student (Surrey and Sussex). Bespoke opportunities to network and receive feedback on your work, including from PPI members, other presenters and members of the Mental Health Theme. Bespoke opportunities to receive 1:1 advice and support for future grant submissions. Bespoke opportunities to receive 1:1 advice regarding contacts and pathways to increase impact, knowledge mobilisation and/or implementation. Please note that selection to present does not confer priority or preferential access to ARC KSS funding. A separate funding call is expected to open in January, and eligible projects will be able to apply through that process. The feedback and support offered through this event may help researchers develop their ideas in preparation for this or other future funding opportunities. Eligibility: Researchers (including Early Career Researchers and clinicians working in practice) who have conducted quality improvement projects or research with innovative, interesting and successful small-scale or pilot projects and have ideas for a subsequent study; or studies with a large dataset with potential to address an innovative/novel research question. We will consider both completed and ongoing projects including early-stage work, provided there is a signal of effect and/or an indication of impact. We are keen to hear from · Project or data ideas with the potential for impact on regional and/or national mental health knowledge and/or services within the next 5 years. Please note, impact can be achieved in many ways alongside as well as resulting from the project outcomes. We can support and advise on this. · Projects or data ideas which would fit within any of our ARC KSS Mental Health sub-themes of: o Mental Health Transitions – projects that address mental health at any key or high risk transition (for example but not limited to School to University, education to work, peri to post-natal, mental health inpatient to community treatment.) o Mental Health Comorbidities - projects that address mental health in the context of physical health conditions or other comorbidities such as (for example but not limited to obesity, respiratory or cardiovascular disease, diabetes, substance use) o Mental Health in Underserved Populations -projects that address mental health in a specific underserved population · Projects that also fit within the ‘three shifts’ identified by the department of health which are a priority for future research funding. These shifts are o Analogue to digital o Hospital to community o Treatment to prevention · Projects that align with the Integrated Care Board (ICB) priorities. · Projects or data ideas which might be a priority for other reasons (for example, we are identifying additional/new regional research priorities between now and March 2027) -please do tell us if you think your project idea might be a priority in the region. Introduction to the SuMHeR centre and the ARC KSS Mental Health theme The Sussex Mental Health Research (SuMHeR centre) is Sussex-based, combining University, Medical School, NHS and third sector organisations with a focus on: (i) Mental Health Transitions: prevention and early intervention of common and severe mental illness in developmental transitions and high-risk targeted populations. (ii) Mental health Comorbidities: working with comorbid physical health issues including cardiovascular, respiratory, cancer, disease and allergies. (iii) Mental health in Underserved Populations: working with complexity and intersectionality in social and cultural determinants. (iv) Personalised Mechanistic Interventions and Innovations: early development and evaluation of specific targeted and theory driven treatments. (v) Implementation, sustainability and workforce wellbeing: reimagining innovative, sustainable core delivery, considering climate and workforce wellbeing. (vi) Digital, AI and technology enabled mental health approaches: development and evaluation of ‘good’ digital supported mental health and data futures. The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Applied Research Collaboration Kent, Surrey and Sussex (ARC KSS) Mental Health Innovation and Implementation Theme is a funded five-year regional programme supporting applied mental health research and translating evidence into practice. A key focus of the ARC KSS Mental Health Theme is to support research capacity building and knowledge mobilization and to impact mental health service knowledge and delivery during the lifespan of the ARC. The programme is currently in its first year. Initial sub-themes include (i) mental health transitions, (ii) mental health comorbidities and mental health in underserved populations. A James Lind Alliance (JLA) Priority Setting Partnership (an NIHR-funded initiative named after pioneering physician James Lind) is bringing together people with lived experience, carers and professionals to identify the region’s top 10 research priorities for adolescent and young adult mental health. A regional coastal and rural mental health population survey will add to this knowledge of needs, alongside analysis of mental health needs identified through the Secure Data Environment and implementation and cost-benefit checklists will support design and delivery of mental health research. Expression of Interest for an oral or poster presentation To submit an Expression of Interest to present at our 2026 conference please click here and submit by Friday 30th October 2026. Please note, you will still need to register your place alongside submitting an EOI. If you would like to attend this event but are not a researcher please do book your place today.