Funded Projects

Infection and Dementia Research: Helping Shape It Through Extended Reality (XR)

This project explores how public involvement can help shape research into the links between infection, inflammation, and dementia. Through interactive workshops, members of the public, including people affected by dementia and their carers, will co-design research priorities and explore how immersive technologies (such as extended reality) can make complex biomedical research more accessible and meaningful. Insights from this work will inform the development of future research and innovative extended reality tools to support engagement in dementia science. 

Lead applicant: Dr Murphy Wan (profile)

Co-applicants and collaborating organisations: Prof. Jerome Swinny, Prof. Sam Robson, Prof. Christian Morgner, Prof. Jessica Teeling, Dr Jay Amin, Dr Brady McFarlane, Jane Ward; The Centre for Creative and Immersive Extended Reality (University of Portsmouth), University of Southampton, Dementia Friendly Hampshire.

DEBIT: Early Diagnosis of Infections in People with Hip Replacements

This project aims to enhance the early detection of infections in people with hip replacements, thereby facilitating earlier treatment and reducing the need for complex and painful revision surgery. Through an interactive public involvement workshop, individuals with lived experience, including patients and carers, will help shape the design and priorities of the research, ensuring it reflects patient needs and experiences. The project will explore how advanced scientific approaches can identify early indicators (biomarkers) of infection, supporting the development of future studies to improve diagnosis and patient outcomes. 

Lead applicant: Professor Sam Robson (profile)

Co-applicants and collaborating organisations: Mr Advait Gandhe, Dr Nicholas Norton; Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust, University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust, University of Southampton, Health Innovation Wessex.

Public Involvement in Limb Difference Rehabilitation Research

This project will involve people with lived experience of limb difference to identify what successful rehabilitation means in everyday life and which outcomes matter most to them. Through workshops and online feedback, contributors will help shape future research questions, prioritise outcomes, evaluate existing measurement tools, and inform study design. The project will support the development of an MRC funding application focused on improving how participation and quality of life are measured following limb loss.

Lead applicant: Dr Amy Wright (profile)

Co-applicants and collaborating organisations: Chantel Ostler; University of Southampton, Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust 

Exploring New Approaches to Long COVID Diagnosis

This project will involve people with lived experience of long COVID in shaping research on whether changes in mitochondrial DNA could help improve diagnosis. Through a facilitated discussion, contributors will help identify research priorities, assess the acceptability of proposed study methods, and highlight outcomes that matter most to patients. The findings will inform the development of an MRC funding application aimed at improving the relevance, accessibility and potential impact of future long COVID research.

Lead applicant: Dr Robbie Baldock (profile)

Co-applicants and collaborating organisations: Prof. Sam Robson, Dr Ahilanandan Dushianthan, Dr Paul Afolabi, Joy Osasuyi;  University of Southampton, NIHR BRC Perioperative and Critical Care (PCC) Southampton

Co-Designing Research on Extreme Heat, Mental Health and Wellbeing

This project will bring together people with lived experience of mental health conditions, heat sensitivity, caring responsibilities, and long-term health conditions to shape research on how extreme heat affects mental health and wellbeing. Through an expanded Lived Experience Advisory Group, contributors will help refine research questions, improve study design, advise on participant support and recruitment, and shape how findings are communicated. The insights generated will inform the development of an MRC-funded research programme to address the growing mental health challenges associated with climate change and rising temperatures.

Lead applicant: Professor Ant Shepherd (profile)

Co-applicants and collaborating organisations: Prof. Mike Tipton, Prof. Jo Corbett, Dr. Joe Costello, Dr. Thierry Middelton, Prof. Samuel Robson, Fiona Loew (Lived Experience Expert); King’s College London, The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, The Physiological Society, University of Oxford, Loughborough University, Bangor University, University College London, Imperial College London Graham Institute, University of Liverpool, Swansea University, UK Health Security Agency