Salon – Research Design Support

In this session we talk about Research Design Support.

In the labyrinth of academic research, the design phase is the crucible where brilliant ideas either take flight or fall apart. Yet, how often do researchers struggle in isolation, grappling with flawed methodologies and unforeseen pitfalls? In the Salon this week, we want to provoke a radical rethinking of research design support, and talk about what support is there and what more is needed. What if the key to groundbreaking discoveries lies not in individual genius, but in collaborative, multidisciplinary support systems? Imagine a world where every researcher has access to expert guidance at every stage, ensuring robust, innovative, and ethically sound studies. Let’s explore how reimagining research design support can transform scientific inquiry and accelerate the path to knowledge.

Gareth O’Brien – is the Operations Director for the all new NIHR Research Support Service London at Imperial College London. The RSS builds on the work of its predecessor the Research Design Service – it provides free and confidential advice to develop funding applications within the remit of the NIHR, including clinical, applied health and social care research, and post-award advice to award holders. Gareth is one of the leaders making this new support service happen across London.

Dr Dominic Trépel – is an economist and Assistant Professor at Trinity College London and the Global Brain Health Institute. His aims to inform policy through incorporating economic research into a variety of research designs, including randomised control trials, simulation models of cost-effectiveness, discrete choice experiments and econometric analysis of observational datasets.