External engagement
Our wellbeing and mental health research is both fundamental and applied, and our researchers work with a variety of external partners, nationally and internationally, including practitioners, patients, institutions, policy-makers, industry and the public, to ensure health and wellbeing outcomes for all. Our researchers also undertake a variety of advisory and consultancy roles to benefit organisations and research users.
Collaborations and partnerships
We employ a wide range of academic collaborations and non-academic partnerships to drive research that benefits users.
Notable academic collaborations include: Paul Allen’s work with the University of Durham on ‘Hearing the Voice’ (funded by the Wellcome Trust), a major interdisciplinary and multicentre project that facilitates collaborations between researchers and people with lived experience of voices
Stuart Semple’s work with colleagues from the University of Barcelona, University of St Andrews, University of Neuchâtel and University of Michigan on a project exploring linguistic laws beyond human language, work which has led to the proposal that compression may be a unifying principle underpinning the communication systems of all species, including humans.
Notable collaborations include Cecilia Essau’s research on the cultural aspects of schizophrenia with the University of Adelaide, Australia (funded by The Florey Medical Research Foundation), and on the course and outcome of mental health problems in young people with the Oregon Research Institute, USA.
Non-academic partnerships include Marco Sandrini’s investigation of the pro-cognitive effects of a novel compound in schizophrenia with the IRCCS Fatebenefratelli Brescia psychiatric hospital in Italy, and Mick Cooper’s work with ProReal Ltd. to support their development of their immersive, avatar-based, virtual-world technology platform that helps people create a visual representation of how they experience a situation and explore different perspectives. Mick Cooper’s research has directly supported ProReal’s growth, such that this service is now offered as an adjunct to treatment provided by the Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust CAMHS team and Off the Record, a youth counselling charity in Bristol, as well as via ‘MiHUB’ in partnership with Wiltshire Council and Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire Clinical Commissioning Group. We also have strong collaborative international ties with policy makers and practitioners in the Malaysian Ministry of Youth and Sports, where Cecilia Essau’s psychoeducational ‘Super Skills for Life’ programme has been implemented in schools in 7 states in Malaysia.
We are continually seeking new opportunities for collaboration with organisations that align with our aims to support mental health and wellbeing through industry-partnerships and Knowledge Transfer Partnerships. If you are interested in collaborating with us, please visit our dedicated Collaborate webpage for more details.
Consultancy
Our researchers act as expert advisors and consultants for several national and international organisations and companies to engage with and advise upon national and international health and wellbeing policy.
- Cecilia Essau is a member of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime whom she advises on family therapy for juveniles with drug use disorders.
- Leigh Gibson advises Abbott Nutrition, a leading global healthcare company, the International Life Sciences Institute, an international non-profit organization advocating for science to support health and well-being, and the Natural Source Waters Association, which advises consumers on the healthiest way to hydrate.
- Mick Cooper was a National Advisor for Counselling for Children and Young People’s Improving Access to Psychological Therapies programme undertaken by the Department of Health and NHS England.
Public Engagement
We facilitate public exchange on issues around health and wellbeing through social and traditional media coverage, and by providing a bank of resources for practitioners. We engage research beneficiaries directly by involving them in our research, for example CARACAW conducts research in local schools in Wandsworth. Our International Conference on Child and Adolescent Psychopathology is also a major platform for disseminating new research and best practice to practitioners, and is at the forefront of promoting research to improve practice in young people’s health. Our staff also offer research-informed training, CPD workshops and resources for practitioners and therapists, for example for the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, the Southern Association for Psychotherapy and Counselling, and the Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust. If you are interested in our existing professional CPD and short courses or developing a bespoke course based on your own needs, please visit our Collaborate webpage. Our International Conference on Child and Adolescent Psychopathology is also a major platform for disseminating new research and best practice to practitioners and is at the forefront of promoting research to improve practice in young people’s health. Our staff also offer research-informed training, CPD workshops and resources for practitioners and therapists, including for the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, the Southern Association for Psychotherapy and Counselling, and the Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust. Further CPD workshops are led by the arts and play therapies research and knowledge exchange center If you are interested in our existing professional CPD and short courses or developing a bespoke course based on your own needs, please visit our Collaborate webpage for more details.