Research made simple: What is health and care research and why do we do it?

Ever wondered how new treatments are developed, services are improved, or important decisions are made in healthcare? This engaging session will take you behind the scenes of research – what it is, why it matters, and how it impacts all of us in everyday life.

Research isn’t just about testing new medicines. It’s about asking the right questions and finding reliable answers. From improving patient care to understanding real-life experiences, research helps shape better, more effective services. In this talk, we’ll explore how research goes beyond clinical measurements to capture what truly matters to people – how they feel, function, and live their daily lives.

You’ll be introduced to the different types of research, from studies that explore personal experiences to those that test treatments and improve services. We’ll also shine a light on the vital role of the public – not just as participants, but as partners who help design, guide, and shape research itself.

Curious about how research gets approved? We’ll break down the ethical checks and safeguards that ensure studies are safe, fair, and trustworthy. We’ll also uncover how research is funded, why the process is so competitive, and why it can take time to turn an idea into a real study.

Finally, we’ll explore how research is shared in the media – highlighting both the benefits of raising awareness and the risks of misleading headlines.

Whether you’re new to research or simply curious, this session will give you a fresh perspective on how research works – and why it matters more than you might think.

Our expert

This talk will be delivered by Dr Joseph Lanario, Research Fellow at the Centre for Patient Reported Outcomes Research at the University of Birmingham and member of the NIHR Birmingham Biomedical Research Centre’s Patient Reported Outcomes research theme.