Help shape our research
How you can get involved in our research
People like you with lived experience of arthritis are key to bringing real life perspectives to shape our research.
When you get involved in our research, you'll work as equal partners in all our activities to ensure that the research we fund and support is of the highest quality and based on the needs of people with arthritis.
Our collective aim is to maximise improvements to their quality of life through research, for now and in the future.
Who can take part in Arthritis UK research?
We would like people with lived experience of arthritis, or parents, partners or carers of people with arthritis, to have their say on the research we fund.
To make changes to the wellbeing and treatment of people living with arthritis, we need to conduct research. We fund researchers to explore new treatments and services.
Your thoughts and opinions help guide our researchers with what is important to people living with arthritis. Working in partnership as our research partner is the way forward.
The role of a research partner is varied so you can choose the level of work and time commitment that suits you.
- You don't need any experience of contributing to or working in research.
- We will provide you with all the training and support you need.
- Anyone with lived experience of arthritis, or partner, family member or living with a person with arthritis can be our research partner.
- Getting involved won’t cost you anything other than time, and all reasonable expenses will be covered in line with our policy.
- We understand that you might not always be able to get involved, and changes could be last minute. We are happy to explore new ways to support you to make sure your views are heard and acted upon.
Learn more about how we work towards our ultimate vision – a future free from arthritis – in these stages of the research cycle:
What will I be doing as an Arthritis UK research partner?
- Some people join funding panels where they help decide if a researcher, or a researcher’s project, should receive Arthritis UK funding.
- Other people help us agree which research areas are important to fund.
- There are also opportunities to work directly with researchers; shaping their projects and their research, ensuring that is arthritis-friendly and consistent with arthritis priorities.
- Most of our work together is done online, and you will be supported in accessing and using any technology.
You can contribute as little or as much as you wish depending on your availability.
We have collected stories from our current research partners to tell you about their experiences.
Read our research partners' stories
"I started experiencing lupus from March 2008 when I was pregnant, my symptoms were shortness of breath, tight and sharp pain in the chest area with fatigue. My symptoms were ignored by my GP and put down as part of pregnancy symptoms."
Read Ayo's story"I contacted the Arthritis UK involvement team and was welcomed as a Research Partner. Everybody has been very supportive and helpful and to my delight believe in the importance of a strong diverse patient voice in any research involving them."
Read Preeti's story"I was made to feel an important part of these meetings and that my contribution was welcomed. I feel I am still learning, which is no bad thing, about the structure of Arthritis UK, and still finding out new things which I enjoy."
Read Mary's storyYour voice and opinion matters
We are actively looking for members who are ethnically and culturally diverse and those who are living with disabilities.
We want to work with you. Have your say and join us as a research partner.
Sign up to become a research partner
If you have any questions about being a research partner, or would like to join us but would prefer not to complete the form, please send us an email on researchinvolvement@arthritis-uk.org. We would be happy to answer your email and if helpful, arrange a time to talk with you.
Cliciwch am Cymraeg
Cymraeg
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