My Reflection on Researchers Day Away Event: Coventry University

I had the opportunity to attend the Research Centre for Healthcare and Community Transformation (HCT) Day Away at Leamington Spa, United Kingdom on 6 July 2026, organised by Coventry University. The event brought together professors, researchers, and postgraduate research students for a day of insightful presentations, collaborative discussions, and interactive activities. It was an inspiring experience that offered valuable perspectives on conducting impactful, inclusive, and translational health research.

One of the key themes throughout the day was co-creation in healthcare research. The discussions emphasised that meaningful research is built by working with patients and the public rather than for them. Effective co-creation requires inclusive spaces that value diverse perspectives, accessible communication, and proactive risk reduction. I also learned about Coventry University's initiatives in supporting co-creation through researcher training, welfare resources, and practical guidance for engaging stakeholders throughout the research journey. The iterative process of defining, designing, and refining research together—much like a "pass the parcel" approach—highlighted the importance of continuous collaboration across multidisciplinary teams.

Another fascinating session was delivered by Professor Liz, who discussed the implementation of Criteria Led Discharge (CLD) and the Selective Patient for Effective and Earlier Discharge (SPEED) initiative. The presentation demonstrated how empowering nurses and multidisciplinary teams to make evidence-based discharge decisions can improve patient flow without compromising quality of care. It was encouraging to learn how this innovation, initially implemented within NHS Coventry and Warwickshire, has gained national recognition and influenced discharge practices across several NHS organisations.

Perhaps the most thought-provoking session for me was the invited keynote by Professor Hugh McKenna on the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2029. The talk reinforced that research excellence is no longer measured solely by publications but by the diversity, relevance, and real-world impact of research. REF 2029 places strong emphasis on diversity across research activities, methodologies, outputs, impacts, institutions, and skills, alongside responsible research assessment and innovation. A particularly striking insight was that only a small proportion of previous grant applications demonstrated genuinely diverse research outputs, highlighting significant room for improvement.

One message that resonated strongly with me was the importance of asking, from the earliest stages of a project:

• What impact will this research create?

• Who are the beneficiaries?

• How can we meaningfully engage those beneficiaries throughout the research process?

These questions are becoming increasingly central to designing research that is not only scientifically rigorous but also socially meaningful and impactful.

As an early-career researcher working in respiratory health and public health research, I found this event incredibly valuable. It reinforced the importance of embedding patient and public involvement, interdisciplinary collaboration, and impact-oriented thinking into every stage of the research process.

My sincere thanks to the Research Centre for Healthcare and Community Transformation (HCT), Coventry University, the organisers, speakers, and everyone involved for creating such an engaging and inspiring event. I look forward to applying these insights in my own research journey.

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