An analysis of the contributions of the Collaborations for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care to the impact of research in the UK Research Excellence Framework 2014 and 2021

Background

The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) established nine pilot Collaborations for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care (CLAHRC) in 2008 which have since grown to the current fifteen Applied Research Collaborations (ARC). The CLAHRC partnership model focuses upon developing and conducting applied health research to improve outcomes for patients. We explored the scale and focus of the CLAHRCs’ contribution to impact case studies submitted to the UK Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2014 and 2021 and how this might be of value for future health research and practice.

Methods

The study design used a content analysis of the REF 2014 and REF 2021 datasets of impact case studies. We identified impact case studies linked to CLAHRCs from both REF datasets and extracted primarily quantitative data about the institutions involved, subject areas, how they were linked to a CLAHRC and what role the CLAHRC contributed. Qualitative analysis consisted of a purposive sample of eight impact case studies to exemplify the range of subject areas, the scope of involvement of the CLAHRCs and to identify the features associated with the impact.

Results

A total of 53 impact case studies related to a CLAHRC were identified from the REF datasets, an increase from 17 in 2014 to 36 in 2021. There is considerable variation in how CLAHRC involvement is described and making a direct attribution of the CLAHRCs is complex and multifaceted. Key pillars of the CLAHRCs such as undertaking applied health research which responds to local and regional needs, knowledge mobilisation and implementing research into practice are exemplified in the sample of impact case studies. There are multiple mechanisms associated with impact with the benefits of collaborative and partnership activities evident.

Conclusions

Applied research collaborations such as the CLAHRCs are making a significant contribution to the impact of research in the REF. There is scope to improve the visibility of the CLAHRCs and for CLAHRCs/ARCs to provide a valuable model of partnership capable of strengthening the impact of future impact case studies for a range of purposes.