93% of Coventry University's Research in Allied Health is classed as world-leading or internationally excellent

Coventry University’s Research Centre for Sport, Exercise and Life Sciences and Centre for Intelligent Healthcare have had a successful outcome in the latest assessment of research in UK universities.

93% of Coventry University’s REF2021 submission in Allied Health Professions, Dentistry, Nursing and Pharmacy was classed as world-leading or internationally excellent.

The Research Excellence Framework (REF) is a periodic exercise of research assessment and annually distributes around £2 billion worth of public funding to support research activities in higher education institutions. The results indicate how well the university’s research efforts have contributed to positive change in the region, the UK and across the world.

The Allied Health Professions, Dentistry, Nursing and Pharmacy Unit of Assessment forms part of Coventry University’s wider submission, with ten different subjects being entered in to the REF and every area having research classed as world-leading (4*).

Two of Coventry University’s Research Centres conducted research in this category that was submitted as part of the university REF submission, these were the Centre for Sport, Exercise and Life Sciences and the Centre for Intelligent Healthcare. Their combined submission helped Coventry University to achieve its best research assessment rating for Allied Health Professions, Dentistry, Nursing and Pharmacy, with 93% of their submission in the category being classed as world-leading or internationally excellent.

This achievement reflects the cutting-edge research that these two research centres are actively involved in - by aiming to tackle the global healthcare challenges, our researchers collaborate with local, national and global companies, charities, public sector organisations and hospitals, to deliver innovative research solutions that make a difference to individuals’ health.

Coventry University’s submissions for the unit of Allied Health explored topics such as:

Drug-Testing Technology Saves Millions of Pounds and Lives
Each year an estimated $15bn of pharmaceuticals are sold which unintentionally cause or worsen heart disease. From 2002, Professor Helen Maddock and a team of researchers from the Centre for Sport, Exercise and Life Sciences have been working tirelessly to address this issue by using novel techniques and scientific methods to improve the early detection of adverse drug issues on heart contraction.

Improving the Lives of People Living with Long-Term Health Conditions
In the UK, 15 million people live with a long-term physical or mental health condition. Research by Professor Andy Turner and Dr Faith Martin from Coventry University’s Centre for Intelligent Healthcare has been influential in the field of positive psychology (improving personal and societal wellbeing), leading to the development of several self-management interventions.

Improving Care for Young People with Long-Term Illnesses and Complex Health Needs
From 2001 to 2020, children and young people in England with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions rose from approximately 33,000 to 87,000. Fortunately, advances in treatments mean that many Children and Young People (CYP) now live for longer and have the comfort to live at home with their families. Previous research led by Professor Jane Coad and team focused on experiences of this group and their carers to ensure a stronger choice, voice, and better quality of life.

Both research centres are currently working on cutting-edge projects that aim to solve real-life issues and make a tangible difference to society, to the health profession and to inform health policy and tackle the very latest healthcare challenges.

To find out more about the centres, their work and the PhD opportunities available:

Centre for Sport, Exercise and Life Sciences

Centre for Intelligent Healthcare