Bournemouth University Clinical Research Unit (BUCRU) offers a collaborative model for supporting and conducting health-related research in Dorset. BUCRU supports researchers in improving the quality, quantity and efficiency of research across Bournemouth University (BU) and local NHS Trusts, by:
- Helping researchers to develop high quality applications for external research funding (including small grants)
- On-going collaborative involvement in funded research projects
- A “pay-as-you-go” consultation service for other work.
BUCRU focuses on health research that has relevance to the NHS. The Unit is available to both BU staff and individuals working locally in the NHS, and there are no restrictions on project topic area or professional background of the researcher.
BUCRU is partly funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), and incorporates the Dorset office of the NIHR Research Design Service South West. Further funding comes from a variety of research grants and contracts.
In addition to providing collaboration and support to projects led by BU and NHS researchers, BUCRU also has its own programme of research, focused on chronic disease and complex interventions (interventions in nursing, physiotherapy, physical activity, occupational therapy, psychology and so on).
How can BUCRU help?
BUCRU can provide help to BU and NHS researchers in the following areas:
- Study design
- Quantitative and qualitative research methods
- Statistics, data management and data analysis
- Patient and public involvement in research
- Trial management
- Ethics, governance and other regulatory issues
- Linking University and NHS researchers.
Examples of BUCRU-supported research projects
- Intramuscular (i.m.) Diamorphine with i.m. Pethidine for Analgesia in labour (IDvIP)
- The Perineal Assessment and Repair Longitudinal Study (PEARLS)
- Perineal re-suturing versus expectant management following vaginal delivery (PREVIEW)
- Eczema education programme and development of the parental self-efficacy in eczema care index.
Examples of BUCRU-led research projects
- A cognitive behavioural approach to fatigue management in people with multiple sclerosis (FACETS)
- Mii-vitaliSe: a pilot randomised controlled trial of a home gaming system (Nintendo Wii) to increase activity levels, vitality and well-being in people with multiple sclerosis.
How to request BUCRU collaboration/support
To register your interest in working with BUCRU, please download and complete the Support Request Form and email it back to bucru@bournemouth.ac.uk, to provide some basic information about your requirements. You will then be contacted to discuss your needs further, and how things might proceed.
Useful documents and links
With help from local NHS R&D departments, BUCRU have created a simple flowchart that depicts the research process (pdf - 53kb) within the NHS and BU, to help researchers understand how it works.
There is also guidance available for BU students wishing to collaborate with the NHS (pdf - 449kb) on their research project.
For full details of the different research funding opportunities available through BU, as well as a list of the standard calls by research funders that BU typically submits to, you can view the extensive BU Research Funders' guide.
