Research Inclusion
2025-01-29 12:30 - 13:30 UTC | Microsoft Teams

2025 Masterclass in the Design and Conduct of Complex Intervention Evaluations
2025-02-05 09:00 - 17:00, 2025-02-12 09:00 - 17:00 | Microsoft Teams
Many health and social care interventions are complex and require careful consideration of key methodological challenges to enable robust evaluation. This workshop will provide attendees with a clear understanding of how to design and conduct a complex intervention evaluation and will include:

• What makes an intervention complex?
• An overview of existing frameworks
• The role of pilot and feasibility studies
• Trial design for complex intervention evaluation
• Intervention implementation and the role of a process evaluation
• Practical considerations for trial set-up and delivery
3 Day online course held on Wednesdays.
Wednesday 29th January, 5th February and 12th February.
Structure:
Teaching will be delivered live online.
There will be a strong emphasis on the practical exercises where participants will gain hands-on experience in the design and conduct of complex intervention evaluations, using a variety of real-life examples from our own experience.
Course Requirements:
Clinicians, Health Professionals, Researchers and NIHR Academy Members / Fellows interested in planning, leading, or being involved in the design and conduct of evaluations of complex interventions would benefit from this masterclass.
Attendees should already have good working knowledge of clinical trials and be keen to understand the challenges which are specific to evaluating complex interventions.
The masterclass is not suitable for those seeking an introduction to clinical trial design.
Early-bird registration £475 available until midnight Friday 20th December 2024.
Standard registration £525 from end of Early Bird until midday Friday 24th January 2025.

AI Meets Medicine: Strategies, Start-ups and Corporate Innovation - Invitation
2025-02-06 09:30 - 14:30 | University of Leeds, Parkinson Building, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS2 9JT, United Kingdom
Professors Krsto Pandza and Hutan Ashrafian, alongside notable speakers from Microsoft, Behold.ai, NuraLogix, openEHR International and Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, will discuss:

The strategic and managerial challenges related to AI as a Medical Device

How AI innovations can be developed and regulated in dynamic and uncertain healthcare environments

Key themes in innovation management to guide academic research in business studies

The importance of collaboration between industry practitioners and academic researchers

Women shaping the future of HealthTech
2025-02-06 17:00 - 19:30 | Union Mills, Union Mills, 9 Dewsbury Road,, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS11 5DD, United Kingdom
This unique gathering will bring together key stakeholders, including NHS regional representatives, local authority and mayoral combined authority partners, academic institutions, research organisations, and our network of innovators.

NIHR i4i Connect 9 - Launch Webinar
2025-02-11 10:00 - 11:30 | Microsoft Teams
The NIHR Invention for Innovation (i4i) programme is a translational research funding scheme aimed at supporting SMEs to de-risk early-to-late stage medical devices, in vitro diagnostics and high-impact patient-focused digital health technologies for ultimate use in the NHS or social care settings.
The NIHR i4i Programme will launch the 9th round of its Connect awards on the 18th of February 2025.
Offering up to £150,000 per project over a 6-12 month period, its primary aim is to help SMEs get to a point where they can apply for further funding or to support projects at any stage of the translational research and development pathway to further de-risk them for follow-on investment.
Agenda
10:00 – 10:30: Introduction to the Connect call, specification and application process
Pippa Gledhill, Senior Programme Manager NIHR i4i
10:30 – 11:25: Live Q&A
An opportunity for the audience to ask questions to the NIHR i4i Programme Team.

Talking Point Tuesdays - NICE: Making an Early Assessment
2025-02-18 09:00 - 12:00 | Hybrid Event, United Kingdom
Join us on Tuesday 18th February at 09:00 AM at The Catalyst (10:00AM for online attendees) for a morning of insightful discussions and networking opportunities. At this exciting event, you’ll learn about NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) and hear about some key updates.
Background
The Innovation Observatory is the gateway to the NICE Technology Assessment (TA) Programme for industry, preventing delays in bringing new and repurposed medicines to the UK market through the early identification and tracking of new and repurposed medicines and health technologies.
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) TA programme provides UK healthcare guidance through Technology Appraisals and Highly Specialised Technologies assessments. A NICE recommendation is crucial for market access to the NHS in England and Wales. The Innovation Observatory is the first step in the process and we work closely with our pharmaceutical industry partners.
We provide the ‘gateway’ to NICE by submitting potential topics that meet the NICE Topic Selection criteria for medicines as set out in the NICE Topic Selection Manual. We follow the development of new and repurposed medicines from at least two years before estimated UK license to provide a timely notification to NICE. This early notification triggers the NICE TA process and allows NICE to provide new guidelines as close to the license date as possible.
The Innovation Observatory has a strict confidentiality agreement which means we only share confidential information with selected policymakers.
Sign up to this informative event
With a range of knowledgeable speakers and an expert panel available for your questions – don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity!
This event is funded by NIHR and free to attend. Attendance is available either online or in -person at The Catalyst in Newcastle. It is open to nationwide small and medium sized businesses operating in the health and life sciences sector.

Launch of NIHR HealthTech Research Centre in In Vitro Diagnostics
2025-02-21 09:30 - 15:00 | Storey Club, Storey Club, Paddington Central, 4 Kingdom Street, London, London, United Kingdom
The HRC IVD is a centre of expertise offering research and navigation services for innovators at all stages of IVD development. Hosted by Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, we help innovators translate their ideas into the clinical setting. Our initial focus is on cancer, infectious and respiratory diseases, critical care, primary and social care.

Attend the launch and discover:

Our aims and ambitions for the HRC

Our services, networks, and facilities

Success stories from industry

How we bring together the ecosystem to accelerate IVD adoption by the NHS

There will also be networking opportunities and lunch is provided.

West Yorkshire Innovation Festival
2025-03-03 08:00 - 2025-03-07 17:00
From the Industrial Revolution onwards, West Yorkshire has been a hotbed of innovation, where ground-breaking discoveries and transformative practices go hand in hand to power our economic success and prosperity.

Returning for its third year, the West Yorkshire Innovation Festival brings together businesses, entrepreneurs of all ages and backgrounds, and experts to share resources and support, and showcase the innovation happening across the region.

Created by the West Yorkshire Innovation Network and coordinated by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, the festival aims to encourage ideas and collaboration to create new opportunities, positive change and foster a culture of innovation to help supercharge our businesses.

LTHT Innovation EXPO
2025-03-04 15:00 - 18:00 | Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Old Medical School, Thoresby Place Great George Street Leeds, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS1 3EX, United Kingdom
Join us at this exciting EXPO event, hosted by the Innovation Pop Up, to find out about the latest cutting-edge developments in health technology innovation. Guests will have the opportunity to interact with Innovation Pop members who will be demonstrating their latest innovations, as well as an opportunity to network with regional innovation partners and colleagues from across LTHT. The event will also showcase our future ambitions and plans for the new Innovation Hub based in the Old Medical School.
To confirm your place, please RSVP using the registration link and if you have any questions, contact innovation.lth@nhs.net

Addressing the diversity challenge: Using data to identify the right research locations
2025-03-05 14:00 - 15:00 | Microsoft Teams
Health research regulators across the globe are encouraging researchers to increase the diversity of people taking part in clinical trials. The Health Research Authority (HRA) and the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have all issued or updated inclusion and diversity guidance in the last 12 months.
With these changes ongoing, one thing is certain: inclusive research is better research. In the UK our data capabilities are rapidly expanding and creating new ways to target research locations that offer opportunities to engage diverse populations.
You will hear from:
– Esther Mukuka, NIHR Director of Research Inclusion
– Laura Bousfield, NIHR National Research Delivery Director
– Mark Evans, NIHR Research Data and Digital Transformation Manager
Join the webinar to hear the latest in this evolving conversation and hear about emerging solutions.

Talking Point Tuesdays - Health Economics
2025-03-18 09:00 - 12:00 | Hybrid Event, United Kingdom
Join us on Tuesday 18th March 2025 at 09:00 AM at The Catalyst for a morning of insightful discussions and networking opportunities. At this exciting event, you’ll learn all about Health Economics as well as finding out about you can get involved with the HTC – Health Technology Committee and HEG – Health Economic Group.
Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity!
This event is funded by NIHR and free to attend. Attendance is available either online or in -person at The Catalyst in Newcastle. It is open to nationwide small and medium sized businesses operating in the health and life sciences sector.

Shaping the Future of Healthcare
2025-03-19 12:00 - 13:30 | Microsoft Teams
The healthcare landscape is evolving rapidly, and organisations and businesses that can adapt and innovate will lead the way. Discover how academic partnerships can create new pathways for growth and expansion in the healthcare sector. These partnerships have the capacity to generate and sustain business growth, leading to improved competitiveness, process improvements, productivity, and ultimately profitability.
In this webinar, we will:

Outline the steps to connect with academic institutions, including NHSA universities, and highlight Innovate UK funding opportunities and ways to access pioneering health research that can drive innovation in your business or organisation.
Teach you how to collaborate with leading academic institutions, tap into their expertise, and explore the funding required to bring your health-related products and services to market.
Share how academic partnerships can create new pathways for growth and expansion in the healthcare sector, helping you bring your health-related products and services to market.
Provide key contacts to facilitate future interactions and foster innovative collaborations.

NIHR Leeds Biomedical Research Centre Online Seminar Series: Tips for a Successful Grant Application
2025-03-19 12:30 - 13:30 | Microsoft Teams
We are delighted to host the NIHR Leeds BRC Seminar Series on the topic “Tips for a Successful Grant Application” on Wednesday 19th March 2025 from 12:30 to 13:30.

Please sign up using the link below by this Monday 17th March 2025, 10 am:
https://forms.gle/FC9ygTPYNtDcyQ4V6

Please see the flyer for more information.

The meeting link will be distributed to those who have signed up on the day before the event.

The sessions will be recorded. Recordings will be available about a couple of weeks following the event on our YouTube channel using the link below:
https://www.youtube.com/@nihrleedsbiomedicalresearc4165/videos

NIHR webinar: Approaches to Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) - Thursday 20th March at 11.30am
2025-03-20 11:30 - 12:30 | Microsoft Teams
NIHR are hosting a webinar on Thursday 20th March at 11:30am aimed at anyone funded or applying for an NIHR Award, as well as staff accountable for public involvement in their research projects/ roles.

The webinar will cover:
• NIHR’s definition of PPI
• Public Partnerships Strategic Commitments
• The importance of involving members of the public in research
• Expectations of PPI in NIHR
• Different approaches in PPI

Register here

HealthTech Leeds Launch
2025-03-26 13:00 - 16:00 | Nexus Leeds, Nexus at Leeds University, Discovery Way University of Leeds, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS2 3AA, United Kingdom
Welcome to the HealthTech Leeds Launch!
Join Nick Plant & the new directors of HealthTech Leeds (formally Centre for HealthTech Innovation) Ruth Wilcox, Hemant Pandit, and Christoph Walti.
Meet and hear from researchers in HealthTech from across the university, learn about and have your say on the new programme of activities launching to bring more opportunities to forge connections and develop your research.
Keynote address and talks to be followed by a breakout workshop(3-4pm) focused on developing connectivity across our areas of research strengths.
Whether you’re a seasoned expert in the field or just curious about the intersection of health and technology, we’d love to see you there!

Workshop on AI and data driven methods for Health Challenges Invitation
2025-04-03 09:30 - 15:00 | University of Leeds, Parkinson Building, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS2 9JT, United Kingdom
Dear colleagues,
We are pleased to invite you to an upcoming workshop designed to foster collaboration and the development of interdisciplinary research ideas for external grant applications that address Health Challenges (details of the challenge areas listed below).
Event Details:
Date: 3rd of April 2025
Time: 09:30-15:00
Location: TBC on campus at the University of Leeds.
About the Workshop:
There are huge opportunities in developing and applying AI techniques to health challenges, ranging from using tools to analyse MRI images, applying physics-inspired machine learning to understand blood flow in the heart, through to analysing population-level health data and informing the design of better cities to reduce air pollution. These are just a few examples—there are many more exciting areas where AI can make a difference in health. The workshop will explore a wide range of opportunities and challenges, including ensuring AI methods are safe, reliable, and equitable in situations that can directly impact people’s health.
Who Can Participate:
We are looking for Leeds academics and clinicians with expertise in;
· fundamental or applied research that is applicable to challenges in health;
· AI tools, techniques and methods that can be applied to health challenges;
· exploring new ways to solve health challenges, especially those with access to relevant data.
Participants should be able to commit to the full duration of the workshop and a follow-up support session and be planning to submit an external research grant application in the next 12-18 months. If you are a clinician interested in the workshop but unable to commit to the full duration, please let us know.
Benefits to taking part: The opportunity to develop new and existing collaborations; dedicated time with experienced facilitators to help develop interdisciplinary research ideas; support for the preparation of grant proposals based on developed ideas.
The agenda for the workshop is attached for your reference.
Register online by the 27th March. Spaces are limited, so we encourage early registration.
If you have any questions, please contact Bharat Pokhrel b.pokhrel@leeds.ac.uk.
Health Challenge Areas:
· Challenge area 1 – Transforming early prediction and diagnosis:
o Tools to advance earlier diagnosis and detection of disease – developing novel tools, including cutting-edge AI-driven technologies, non-invasive sensors, devices, and advanced medical imaging, to enhance early diagnosis and disease detection through improved image visualization and interpretation.
o Novel techniques for patient specific diagnosis – new methods for recognizing abnormal data patterns and leveraging advanced digital technologies, particularly artificial intelligence, modelling, simulations, and digital twins, alongside data analytics, to predict susceptibility to illness.
· Challenge area 2 – Improving population health and prevention:
o Population models: developing new tools and technologies, such as AI-driven models, to analyse population data and support communities and health professionals. By leveraging advancements in machine learning, these tools can predict variations in disease phenotypes at individual and population levels and forecast infectious disease spread, offering valuable guidance and early warnings.
o Predictive approaches to a healthy society: developing novel tools and technologies, such as digital twins, to model wellness and understand normal health. It involves creating systems to monitor disease, detect deviations, and identify risk factors. By harnessing digital technologies and data analytics, these tools can discover indicators of susceptibility, stratify at-risk groups, and support personalised interventions to help individuals stay healthy and avoid complications.
o Engineering healthier environments: advancing research on smart cities, assistive technologies, robotics, and AI to transform the built environment into a proactive tool for health and wellbeing. This includes preventing infection spread, redesigning spaces to promote wellbeing, and creating future living environments.

Talking Point Tuesdays - Digital Health Tech
2025-04-08 09:00 - 12:00 | Hybrid Event, United Kingdom
Join us on Tuesday 8th April 2025, at 09:00 AM at The Catalyst for a morning of insightful discussions and networking opportunities. At this exciting event, we’ll dive into the world of digital health tech and explore new cutting edge digital health technologies that are solving unmet needs in the Health and Life Sciences sector.
Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity!
This event is funded by NIHR and free to attend. Attendance is available either online or in -person at The Catalyst in Newcastle. It is open to nationwide small and medium sized businesses operating in the health and life sciences sector.

How to build public trust in Secure Data Environments
2025-04-28 10:00 - 13:30 | Nexus Leeds, Nexus at Leeds University, Discovery Way University of Leeds, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS2 3AA, United Kingdom
Join the LIDA Health Committee for an insightful debate on Secure Data Environments (SDEs). These platforms allow researchers from both public and commercial sectors to securely access and analyze patient data. The recently released Sudlow Review highlights the importance of SDEs and recommends developing a UK-wide framework for their standards and accreditation, emphasizing the need to maintain public trust.
But what is ‘public trust’ and how can the conditions for its flourishing be embedded into policies and technical standards? Is the goal of cultivating ‘public trust’ in a secure and audited platform appropriate, or should we focus on engineering out the need for trust through robust technical controls? Just who/what are we trusting, and what are we trusting them to do? Join us for an engaging discussion with experts from diverse fields, including applied ethics, patient advocacy, and health technology.

Nexus Connect: Health Innovation and Regulation
2025-04-29 16:00 - 18:00 | Nexus Leeds, Nexus at Leeds University, Discovery Way University of Leeds, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS2 3AA, United Kingdom
Want to connect with like-minded people in business, technology and academia?
Nexus Connect invites you to come together with the regional innovation community. Enjoy refreshments, a lively panel discussion and meaningful conversations.
This time, we’re talking about health innovation and regulation in the health-tech sector. Our expert panel will discuss their personal accounts of the regulatory system together with challenges, solutions and potential collaboration opportunities.
You’ll walk away with contacts and advice that’ll last much longer than an afternoon.
Who’s it for?
Nexus Connect is open to anyone with an interest in innovation and collaboration, regardless of role, seniority or sector.
We welcome:

All Nexus member businesses

Entrepreneurs and professionals, at all levels, from innovative and tech-led businesses

University of Leeds academics and professional staff

Student engagement event: is a career in research for me?
2025-05-01 10:00 - 13:30 | Microsoft Teams
Are you curious about research? Want to become more involved but don’t know where to begin and what opportunities are available to you?
If you are a student or recent graduate in health and social care, are considering a career in research, or just want to know more, you are invited to register for this virtual event. The day will look to inspire and attract students to a career in research, providing an introduction to what a career in research entails, and highlight the benefits of research within health and social care.
By the end of the day, you will have a clearer understanding of the many opportunities to get involved in research, why research can benefit your career and hear from inspirational speakers and peers about how they got into research

The Hive Network Event
2025-05-14 09:00 - 15:30 | Horizon Leeds, Kendall Street, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS10 1JR, United Kingdom
Join Us at The Hive Network Event!

What is it?
In collaboration with the West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board, the West Yorkshire Innovation Hub, and the NIHR Yorkshire & Humber Applied Research Collaboration (ARC), the Hive aims to bring together a diverse range of people to co-create and drive forward a shared vision for research and innovation. This inclusive approach ensures that every voice is heard, fostering a network that is equipped to tackle the challenges of the future. The Hive network is a vibrant networking platform, open to all staff within West Yorkshire.
Why Attend?
Learn about our system-wide plans for research and innovation, and how we are working to ensure inclusivity at the core of all we do. The network will provide attendees the opportunity to help shape and design the West Yorkshire research and innovation network and future Hive events through interactive activities.
Who is it for?
The Hive event is designed for a diverse audience with interest in research and innovation. By bringing together varied perspectives, we aim to collaboratively shape the future of our research and innovation network. Your participation is crucial in driving forward our shared goals and ensuring an inclusive approach to healthcare innovation.
As part of the event, we are hosting a World Café session, providing a platform for individuals and organisations to showcase their projects, insights, and experiences in research and innovation.
If you have been involved in research and/or innovation projects, innovative initiatives, or impactful work in this field and would like to present, discuss, or share your journey. Please complete the expression of interest form via the link and the Hive Team will be in touch: https://forms.office.com/e/nNSBPFggbh

Talking Point Tuesdays - Sustainability in the Health Sector
2025-05-20 09:00 - 12:00 | Hybrid Event, United Kingdom
Join us on Tuesday 20th May 2025 at 09:00 AM at The Catalyst for a morning of insightful discussions and networking opportunities. At this exciting event, you’ll learn about how Health and Life Science sector organisations are adopting sustainable practices within their businesses.
We’ll have experts in this field talking about how you use an ESG model for your business and you’ll also hear some health sector case studies that will leave you feeling inspired to do more!
Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity!
This event is funded by NIHR and free to attend. Attendance is available either online or in -person at The Catalyst in Newcastle. It is open to nationwide small and medium sized businesses operating in the health and life sciences sector.

Navigating the NHS and West Yorkshire’s Health Ecosystem
2025-05-30 13:00 - 14:00 | Microsoft Teams
Explore how the NHS operates in West Yorkshire, understand local priorities, and discover how to engage with NHS stakeholders and the wider ecosystem.

Human Factors in Healthtech Innovation
2025-06-04 09:00 - 17:00 | Chilworth Manor, University Parkway Chilworth, Southampton, Hampshire, SO16 7PT, United Kingdom
Hosted in conjunction between the Southampton Emerging Therapies and Technologies (SETT) Centre, in Southampton, and the Accelerated Surgical Care Healthtech Research Centre (HRC), in Leeds, this event will bring together leading experts from across the healthtech ecosystem.
The one-day conference will include speakers from the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), the Royal Society, Leeds HRC, the University of Southampton (UoS), and University Hospital Southampton (UHS).
This conference is designed for healthcare innovators, clinicians, researchers, policymakers, and industry professionals looking to deepen their understanding of human factors in healthtech. Through keynote presentations, panel discussions, and networking opportunities, attendees will gain insights into user-centered design, regulatory considerations, and real-world implementation challenges in medical technology development.

Key topics include:

The role of human factors in medical device design and digital health solutions
Real-world case studies from leading healthtech projects
Insights from regulatory and funding bodies, including NIHR i4i
Human-centred innovation and clinical adoption strategies
Bridging the gap between research, development, and patient care

Why attend?

Gain expert knowledge from top researchers, clinicians, and industry leaders
Network with key stakeholders in health technology innovation
Discover the latest advancements and best practices in human factors design
Engage in discussions shaping the future of healthtech development

Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with the brightest minds in healthtech innovation.

Webinar 2: Building Strategic Partnerships in West Yorkshire
2025-06-04 12:00 - 13:00 | Microsoft Teams
Webinar 2 will give an overview of West Yorkshire’s HealthTech Ecosystem and talk about how innovators can collaborate with key stakeholders in academia, industry, and the community to support the development, adoption and scaling of their innovations.

Keeping on top of Regulatory Standards | BSI & Medilink Webinar
2025-06-09 14:00 - 15:00 | Microsoft Teams
The British Standards Institution (BSI) and Medilink will be delivering an expert online webinar in 2025 to update members on the latest regulatory changes for medical technology and to answer specific questions that you may have about these regulations.

Child Health Technology Conference
2025-06-11 08:00 - 2025-06-12 17:00 | Microsoft Teams
Welcome to Child Health Technology 2025 (CHT2025), the leading conference dedicated to exploring the intersection of technology and child health.

At CHT2025, we are committed to advancing paediatric healthcare through the latest technological advancements, research breakthroughs, and interdisciplinary collaborations. Our conference serves as a dynamic platform for sharing knowledge, exchanging ideas, and fostering innovation in child health technology.
Throughout the conference, attendees from academia, healthcare, and industry have opportunities to hear world-leading experts presenting on the latest in child health technology, engage in thought-provoking discussions, and network with peers who share a common passion for improving the health and wellbeing of children and young people.
CHT2025 is committed to meaningful patient involvement. From designing the agenda to delivering sessions, we ensure that the voices of patients, parents, and carers are heard, valued, and integrated throughout the conference.
As we look ahead to the future of paediatric healthcare, we invite you to join us on this exciting journey of discovery and innovation. Together, we can shape the landscape of child health technology and make a lasting impact on the lives of children and families worldwide.
Welcome to CHT2025 – where the future of child health begins and every voice matters.

Webinar 3: Developing & Funding Clinically Safe and Effective Solutions
2025-06-11 12:00 - 13:00 | Microsoft Teams
For early-stage innovators and researchers – this webinar will address how you can develop and validate your HealthTech innovation, the importance of involving patients and the public, and how you can access early-stage funding.

Talking Point Tuesdays - PPIE in Grant Applications & Patient Engagement
2025-06-17 09:00 - 12:00 | Hybrid Event, United Kingdom
Join us on Tuesday 17th June at 09:00 AM at The Catalyst for a morning of insightful discussions and networking opportunities. At this exciting event, you’ll learn all about how Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement (PPIE) can be beneficial when looking at grant applications.
You’ll hear examples of PPIE that may help you in your journey as health and life sciences business.
Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity!
This event is funded by NIHR and free to attend. Attendance is available either online or in -person at The Catalyst in Newcastle. It is open to nationwide small and medium sized businesses operating in the health and life sciences sector.
