Skip to main content

Professor Andrew Filer appointed Director of NIHR Birmingham Biomedical Research Centre

Written by Louise Stanley on . Posted in Birmingham Health Partners, Inflammation and chronic disease.

The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Birmingham Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) has announced the appointment of Professor Andrew Filer as its new Director. Professor Filer takes over from Professor Paul Moss, who has served as Interim Director since June 2024.

Professor Filer is already co-lead of the BRC’s Inflammatory Arthritis research theme and brings a wealth of clinical and translational research experience to the role. His leadership will further guide the BRC in delivering cutting-edge research that transforms patient care across the region and beyond.

Professor Filer said: “I’m honoured to take on the role of Director at such an exciting time for the Birmingham BRC. Our BRC is built on a foundation of collaboration, innovation and clinical excellence. I look forward to working with our partners to ensure our research continues to make a real difference to patients’ lives.”

The NIHR Birmingham BRC is a cross-BHP collaboration, hosted by University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust (UHB) and delivered in partnership with the University of Birmingham and six associate academic and NHS partners across the region. It brings together clinicians, scientists and healthcare professionals to drive translational research improving outcomes for people with inflammatory diseases.

Professor Kiran Patel, Chief Medical Officer at UHB, said: “Professor Filer is passionate about integrating patient-centred approaches and high-quality discovery science to drive innovation. I am delighted he has taken on this role, and I am sure he will provide effective leadership to our incredibly successful NIHR Birmingham BRC.”

Professor Neil Hanley, Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Head of the College of Medicine and Health at the University of Birmingham, added: “I’m really excited by Andrew’s appointment. It really does reflect the strength of clinical research leadership in Birmingham. His vision and energy will be instrumental for the next phase of the BRC’s mission to deliver inclusive impact, health improvement and economic growth.”

Dr Victoria Day, Head of Infrastructure at the Birmingham BRC, commented: “Andrew brings deep knowledge of the NIHR landscape and a long-standing commitment to patient-focused research. His leadership and collaborative approach will be key to driving the Birmingham BRC forward and delivering meaningful health impact.

“I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank Professor Paul Moss for his support during his time as Interim Director. His leadership and commitment have contributed to the many achievements we’ve made during this period.”

Professor Andrew Filer is a Professor of Translational Rheumatology in the Department of Inflammation and Ageing at the University of Birmingham. A Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians, he holds a PhD in immunology and is an Honorary Consultant Rheumatologist. He is internationally recognised for his work in early inflammatory arthritis, particularly in developing novel imaging and biopsy techniques to study disease mechanisms and improve diagnosis.

He co-leads the Birmingham Early Arthritis Clinic and has pioneered the use of musculoskeletal ultrasound and ultrasound-guided synovial biopsy in clinical research. His research focuses on Synovial cellular biology, disease stratification, and the development of targeted therapies for rheumatoid arthritis. Professor Filer is a passionate advocate for integrating patient cohorts with high-quality basic science to accelerate translational impact.

BHP’s health inequalities lead awarded prestigious NIHR Research Professorship

Written by Louise Stanley on . Posted in Birmingham Health Partners, Health inequalities.

Our health inequalities theme lead Professor Joht Singh Chandan – from the University of Birmingham’s Department of Applied Health Sciences – has been awarded one of six prestigious NIHR Research Professorships by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR).

As the NIHR’s flagship award for leading researchers, this Professorship is highly prestigious and supports individuals with an outstanding track record of applied health and care research to undertake high-impact work that will shape the future of healthcare in the UK and beyond.

Professor Chandan was recognised last year as the youngest clinical professor in the UK, bringing extensive expertise across the fields of violence against women and girls, maternal health, and public health, especially addressing health inequalities in underserved communities. Most recently, he has been announced as the co-lead of the NIHR’s new Challenge Maternity Disparities Consortium bringing together nine UK universities with the aim of tackling inequalities in maternity care. Professor Chandan retains a longstanding commitment to advancing research, policy and practice in these critical areas, with work that has shaped national conversations for vulnerable populations.

“I’m deeply honoured to receive this NIHR Research Professorship,” Professor Chandan said. “Violence against women and children is one of the greatest public health challenges of our time, and survivors deserve a healthcare system that truly listens, understands, and responds to their needs. This award will allow me to work alongside individuals, families, and communities affected by violence to co-produce a more trauma-informed and equitable NHS – helping to build safer, more supportive services for everyone affected by violence.”

The five-year Research Professorship award includes funding for research costs, a leadership development programme, and support for building a research team. It is designed to strengthen the UK’s capacity for world-leading applied health research and ensure that discoveries are rapidly translated into practice.

This new professorship will enable Professor Chandan to work closely with survivors of violence to close the gaps between them and avenues of support such as local authority settings and the NHS. This work is undertaken with a view to expanding this work nationally, building research capacity, and helping to create safer, more supportive, and informed healthcare services for survivors of violence.

Despite growing awareness, significant gaps remain in the support of survivors of violence within healthcare systems. Further research is urgently needed to develop evidence-based interventions, improve service accessibility, and ensure that care is both trauma-informed and culturally sensitive for those from underserved communities. Professor Chandan also co-leads the NIHR Global Health Research Group on Violence Against Women and Children, which brings together researchers and practitioners across eleven countries to share learning and develop scalable solutions, ensuring that insights from the UK inform, and are informed by, global efforts to tackle violence.

Professor Lucy Chappell, Chief Executive Officer of the NIHR and Chief Scientific Adviser at the Department of Health and Social Care, said: “I am delighted to welcome this new cohort of NIHR Research Professors. As well as recognising individual excellence, these awards are a strategic investment in our research leadership across health, social care and public health.

“I look forward to seeing the positive impact of these awardees’ research and leadership across major health and care challenges.”

NIHR Research Professorships are among the UK’s most prestigious career development awards. The awards are focussed on translating into real world impact. The 10 Year Health Plan recognised the need for research and innovation to be integrated into health and care practice.

NIHR Research Professors combine their academic roles with professional practice. They provide a crucial link between research and the delivery of health, social care and public health services, driving the implementation of evidence-based improvements that address key health and social care challenges.

Top rating for Birmingham’s NIHR Integrated Clinical Academic Training programme

Written by Louise Stanley on . Posted in Birmingham Health Partners.

The Integrated Clinical Academic Training (ICAT) programme led by BHP founder-member the University of Birmingham, has been rated joint top alongside the University of Oxford.

Birmingham’s ICAT programme is one of 36 across the country, with its NIHR funding complemented by posts supported by fellow Birmingham Health Partners member organisations. It provides opportunities for medical and dental graduates to have dedicated research time alongside their clinical training and NHS commitments and is critical to developing the future clinical research workforce, supporting clinicians to pursue research interests alongside clinical practice.

The University excelled in the recent NIHR funding competition, being awarded 28 Academic Clinical Fellow posts and 13 Academic Clinical Lecturer posts, for the period 2026 and 2027.

“We are proud to be one of the largest of the 36 NIHR ICAT programmes in the country, with 116 current trainees, ranging from pre-doctoral Academic Clinical Fellows to consultant level, postdoctoral Birmingham Health Partners award holders. Our relationships with NHS trusts across the region through BHP stand us apart from many of the other ICAT programmes and this partnership is integral to building regional research leadership capacity,” said Professor Kristien Boelaert, ICAT Academic Lead and Professor of Endocrinology at the University.

Earlier this year, the Medical Schools Council highlighted a trend in declining numbers of clinical academics and called for intervention to safeguard the future of medical research and education. The Government’s 10 Year Health plan recognises the importance of embedding research across healthcare to drive reform and attracting early career clinicians to academia is essential to increase those numbers.

Commenting on the importance of Birmingham’s contribution, Professor Boelaert explained: “It’s not just that we have an impressive number of posts here in Birmingham – our career development initiatives, research culture and peer support activities make up the full package. Our Research Retreat was also highlighted as very beneficial, along with outstanding feedback via our trainee experience survey.”

Since Birmingham’s ICAT Programme launched in 2015, 55 of our 86 NIHR Academic Clinical Fellows (64%) have progressed to clinical research training fellowships or other academic posts and 55 of 73 our NIHR and locally-funded Clinical Lecturers have progressed to senior academic positions (75%), including 17 as research-active consultants.

Find out more about our programmes:

  • BHP Starter Fellowships, allowing individuals to start their research career providing cost to cover one year’s salary to undertake a Master’s by Research
  • Clinical Academic Research Partnerships (CARP), to support individuals continue their research careers while delivering clinical service providing salary funding for two programmed activities (PAs) – or 8 hours per week – of protected research time for two years
  • New Consultant Scheme, providing salary funding for two programmed activities (PAs) – or 8 hours per week – of protected research time for three years
  • BHP Clinician Scientist, 50:50 appointments providing an academic consultant post linked with one of our NHS trusts to develop individuals as successful independent clinical researchers

BHP’s 2026 training programmes open for applications

Written by Louise Stanley on . Posted in Birmingham Health Partners.

BHP’s 2026 training programmes open for applications

The next round of recruitment for BHP’s training and development programmes is now underway, with the clinical-academic training team accepting applications until Monday 19 January 2026.

Giving all healthcare staff the opportunity to undertake research for patient benefit is essential for improving patient care and developing NHS services. BHP is proud to provide a route into research for NHS staff at all career stages through a series of tailored training opportunities and fellowships:

  • BHP Starter Fellowships, allowing individuals to start their research career providing cost to cover one year’s salary to undertake a Master’s by Research
  • Clinical Academic Research Partnerships (CARP), to support individuals continue their research careers while delivering clinical service providing salary funding for two programmed activities (PAs) – or 8 hours per week – of protected research time for two years
  • New Consultant Scheme, providing salary funding for two programmed activities (PAs) – or 8 hours per week – of protected research time for three years
  • BHP Clinician Scientist, 50:50 appointments providing an academic consultant post linked with one of our NHS trusts to develop individuals as successful independent clinical researchers

BHP’s Managing Director Professor Lorraine Harper will host two online information and Q&A sessions on our programmes as follows:

  • CARP, New Consultant scheme and BHP Clinician Scientist: Monday 27 October 2025, 11.30-12.30pm
  • BHP Starter Fellowship: Tuesday 4 November 2025, 9.30-10.30am

To receive the joining link, please email icat@contacts.bham.ac.uk.

Here’s what some recent participants and alumni had to say…

Dr Joseph Sturman, BHP Starter Fellowship 2023-24

“The fellowship has been essential to my career development and I am in no doubt that without it, I would not have been able to embark on a PhD. The fellowship has opened up so many opportunities for collaboration and research both locally and nationally, and I look back on the BHP Starter Fellowship as a pivotal moment in my career.”

Read more from Joseph here

Dr Anna Seale, BHP CARP scheme 2023-25

“My advice to anyone applying would be think carefully about what you are going to do, be flexible that things may change as you learn more about your project, use the resources of the academic institutions, and recognise that this is only the start of a longer journey. Just do it!”

Read more from Anna here

Dr Mark Openshaw, BHP New Consultant scheme 2024-26

“Having protected time for research – and formal recognition of its value – is essential to progressing my work on circulating tumour DNA. The BHP scheme offered a strong initial opportunity to secure dedicated research time, alongside support from experienced academic clinicians, which made it an ideal platform to help sustain and grow my research career.“

Read more from Mark here

Learn more about our programmes and apply

Continue reading

BHP Annual Meeting details announced

Written by Louise Stanley on . Posted in Birmingham Health Partners.

Birmingham Health Partners annual meeting will be held on the afternoon of 19th November (1.00pm – 5.00pm), at the Edgbaston Park Hotel, Birmingham.

Our keynote speaker will be Prof Waljit Dhillo, Dean of the NIHR Academy and NIHR Scientific Director for Research Capacity and Capabilities.  We will also hear from our new Chair of Birmingham Health Partners, Richard Meddings, CBE.

A full programme will follow in the next few weeks. 

To register please email k.mcnaughton@bham.ac.uk by 31st October 2025.

Please also indicate your order of preference for which themed table session you would like to join:

Tackling the NHS 10 year plan: how can we use BHP to address the “Three Shifts”

  • Theme 1: Analogue to Digital
  • Theme 2: Hospital to Community
  • Theme 3: Treatment to Prevention

Professor Dhillo is a Professor in Endocrinology & Metabolism at Imperial College London and Consultant Endocrinologist at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust. His research includes the development of safer IVF treatment for women; robotic sensor technology to diagnose women’s reproductive health problems in real-time; and exploring whether kisspeptin can ultimately be used to treat men with common psychosexual disorders, such as low libido. He was previously an NIHR Research Professor and this year was appointed as an NIHR Senior Investigator.

As Dean of the NIHR Academy, Professor Dhillo will support the delivery and development of NIHR Academy schemes, including the Integrated Academic Training Programme, Personal Research Fellowships, the Integrated Clinical Academic Programme, the Infrastructure Training Forum, as well as a number of Global Health Training Programmes. Working in partnership with the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and the NIHR Academy CEO, Professor Dhillo will provide oversight on the development and delivery of NIHR research training programmes, to ensure they meet the needs of the current research landscape, as well as identifying future gaps and how to solve them.

New project to explore effective of vaping on respiratory system

Written by Louise Stanley on . Posted in Birmingham Health Partners.

The benefits and harms of vaping for long term respiratory health will be the focus of a new research project, thanks to a funding award of £1.46m by the Medical Research Council (MRC).

Building on internationally recognised work in e-cigarette studies at BHP founder-members the University of Birmingham, the EVALUATE study aims to address unanswered questions about the effect of long-term vaping on the respiratory system by conducting a four-year cohort study.

Dr Aaron Scott, Associate Professor in Respiratory Science at the University of Birmingham and Chief Investigator of EVALUATE said: “We will study how vaping affects important airway immune cells and the epithelial cells which line the insides of the lung. Since these cell types play a critical role in the development of smoking-related lung diseases, these changes will provide clear insight into vaping’s on lung health”

“This study will provide critical data needed to understand the safety of vaping as a short-term smoking cessation strategy and in longer-term usage so people can make an informed personal choice”

David Thickett, Professor of Respiratory Medicine at the University of Birmingham and Clinical lead of University Hospitals Birmingham’s staff smoking cessation service said: “The EVALUATE study will investigate changes to immune and lung cell health following vaping. Supported by the NIHR Birmingham Biomedical Research Centre, the multi-faceted study will also investigate how vaping changes the human microbiome after smoking cessation. For the trillions of microorganisms that live on and in the human body, environmental factors can affect the delicate balance of microbiomes and can impact health if disrupted.”

Dr Dhruv Parekh, Associate Professor in Respiratory Medicine and Director of the University Hospitals Birmingham Clinical Research Facility said: “Studying immune cells from the blood (indirect effects) and from the airways (direct effects) by bronchoscopy, allows us to get a complete picture of how the airways are affected by vaping. This important study will be delivered through our NIHR Clinical Research Facility which is integral to the delivery of this work.”

Dr Mike Cox, Assistant Professor Respiratory Microbiome at the University of Birmingham said: “Smoking can drastically alter microorganisms in our bodies, particularly in the airways. This project will allow us to uncover how vaping impacts this balance and map out how this changes over time.”

Studying toxicants in the airways

Previous work from Dr Scott’s lab at the University of Birmingham has shown that toxicants within e-cigarette vapour, formed by the breakdown of e-liquid, can negatively impact important immune cells, independently to the effects of nicotine. Some of these toxic components of e-cigarette vapour are also found in cigarette smoke. We know this could harm our airways, but this is difficult to sample and measure.

Professor Luis Mur at Aberystwyth University will lead the investigation into the accumulation of toxicants within the airways after vaping. Professor Mur said: “Using our cutting-edge mass spectroscopy platforms, we can monitor how toxicants in the airways change as people move from smoking to vaping. Combined with data on immune cell function, this interdisciplinary approach will give us a powerful insight into the true nature of e-cigarette exposure on the airways.”

This new study will also run alongside a complementary clinical trial, ECAL and linked EME mechanism study, which is examining the impact of vaping in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

The research team will begin recruiting for the EVALUATE study in the Autumn of 2025.