Research strategy meetings
arc has a commitment to adopt a more strategic approach to the research it supports. One of the approaches used to develop research strategy in a particular area is to convene a Research strategy meeting comprising key national leaders across all the sub areas within each topic.
Attendance at these meetings is by invitation only. The initial invitation list for each meeting comprises current arc grant holders and major national figures. The list is extended to cover others suggested by the former groups. The aim is to cover all areas and expertise but not to be too large to inhibit active participation in small group discussions.
| Meeting topic | Date |
| Osteoarthritis | October 2006 |
| Biomechanics and bioengineering | October 2007 |
| Mechanisms of pain in arthritis | November 2007 |
| Health services and implementation research | May 2008 |
| Tissue engineering and cell-based therapy | June 2008 |
| Fatigue and its role in rheumatoid arthritis | Nov 2008 |
Typical format requires dividing the broad topic into cogent single themes, each introduced by a state of the art review of the field and then the current contribution of arc, each with a review of the challenges and opportunities. Small group discussions, reporting back to the whole meeting identify priority areas for research as well as the possible contributions from arc.
The outputs from each meeting include some or all of the following:
- Opportunities for networking between different disciplines
- Identification of key priority areas that are relevant for arc to fund
- Identification of key research expertises that arc would wish to foster by encouraging applications for studentships and fellowships in that area
- Identification of centralised activities by arc which would be valuable across the field. Examples include working groups on standards of data and tissue collection and the development of tissue banks
- Identification of areas appropriate for collaboration with other funders, including the UK Research Councils, NHS and Industry
- Consideration as to whether the area, or specific sub-areas needs specific infrastructure support via the establishment of an arc Centre of excellence or other means to boost critical mass
