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Collaborations

We work closely with academic institutions, NHS organisations, and industry leaders to drive forward clinical research and innovation. Through these partnerships, we share expertise, develop pioneering studies, and translate research discoveries into tangible improvements in patient care and healthcare delivery.

National Institute for Health and Social Care Research (NIHR) infrastructures

Devices for Dignity, the National Institute for Health and Social Care Research (NIHR) HealthTech Research Centre (HRC) in long-term conditions, is a national organisation hosted at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. The HRC aims to help people live well for longer through health technologies and interventions.

Rotherham, Doncaster and South Humber NHS Foundation Trust lead the mental health cross-cutting theme, aiming to develop technologies for people living with long-term conditions and mental health conditions.

The Health Determinants Research Collaboration (HDRC) Doncaster is one of 30 across the UK, funded by the National Institute of Health and Care Research (NIHR). They aim to help local authorities to become more research-active and to embed a culture of evidence-based decision making. It is hosted by City of Doncaster Council, in collaboration with partners at the University of Sheffield and Sheffield Hallam University. We aim to reduce health inequalities and address the wider determinants of health (for example, the conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work and age in).

Rotherham, Doncaster and South Humber NHS Foundation Trust work with the  Health Determinants Research Collaboration on a public involvement and community engagement programme.

The National Institute for Health and Social Care Research (NIHR) Sheffield Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) is part of the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) and hosted by Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust in partnership with The University of Sheffield. We are dedicated to improving the treatment and care of people with long-term health conditions.

The Rotherham, Doncaster and South Humber NHS Foundation Trust Grounded Research team are working with Dementia Researchers in the Sheffield Biomedical Research Centre and the Alzheimer’s Society to ensure dementia research is accessible to communities in the region.

Universities and colleges

University of Sheffield Clinical and Applied Psychology department enhances psychological health and wellbeing through outstanding training programmes and research that impacts on new clinical applications. Through the Psychological Health Observatory partnership we support projects aiming to improve the psychological health of patients and the workforce and support several joint clinical academic positions to develop the programme of work.

Sheffield Hallam University

Sheffield Hallam University Associate Professor Mental Health Nursing and Wellbeing Prof Jim Turner, holds an honorary contract with Rotherham, Doncaster and South Humber NHS Foundation Trust to support and mentor NHS staff on quality, evaluation and research projects, seeking to increase research capacity in nursing and supporting staff in their personal and professional development.

University of Exeter

The Mood Disorder Centre in the University of Exeter works closely with our Associate Professor and Lead for Psychological Therapies Research, Professor Stephen Kellett. This work has found key strands to it:

  • on sitting on trial steering committees for various projects
  • supervision of Doctorate of Clinical Psychology (DClinPsy) trainees in specialist clinics
  • conduct of clinical trials
  • the establishment of a Devon and Cornwall practice-research network (PRN) and associated training events for therapists in that region.

North Lindsey College and Doncaster College

We are open to supporting work placement programmes from local colleges with recent student placements having the opportunity to experience research in action in the NHS. Please get in contact with us if you are interested in discussing further.

NHS organisations

We work closely with multiple NHS research active Trusts across the Yorkshire and Humber region and nationally. We have a formal collaboration with the Mental Health and Community NHS Trusts in the region, supported by the National Institute for Health and Social Care Research (NIHR) Regional Research Delivery Network, to ensure research studies and programmes of work can benefit our patients and communities and we can influence national policy and funding decisions.

We lead several studies which have multiple NHS sites recruiting participants to studies right across the UK, establishing Rotherham, Doncaster and South Humber NHS Foundation Trust as a leading NHS sponsor for mental health studies.

Page last reviewed: November 25, 2025
Next review due: November 25, 2026