Recently the NIHR Oxford Health Biomedical Research Centre’s (OH BRC) Mental Health in Development Theme brought together researchers and partners for a Whole Theme Meeting.
The hybrid event, held in Oxford and online, provided an opportunity to reflect on progress, celebrate individual and team contributions, and explore future priorities and opportunities for collaboration.
The morning strategy session focused on the Theme’s plans moving forward. Project leads were invited to look ahead to what the final two years under the current OH BRC will look like and how to implement change, build collaboration work more efficiently.
The afternoon session included a series of short update presentations from teams celebrating achievements over the past 3 years and plans for future development.
The WISDOM Schools Research Network shared highlights from their work supporting mental health research in schools. They updated on the growing number of research partners now in contact with schools signed up to the Network and how they plan to expand the geographic reach of their member schools.
Colleagues from the AnDY Research Clinic, Oxford shared the achievement that since May 2024, they have supported over 250 young people with diagnostic assessments and interventions for conditions including anxiety and OCD.
The Parent Carer Research Network, which launched in January 2025, shared an achievement of securing a partnership with the mental health charity Charlie Waller Trust. Going forward, the Network plans to increase their diversity by targeting parents and carers who are underrepresented in research.
Theme partners at the University of Liverpool provided insights into cross site collaboration and shared learning beyond Oxford. They highlighted their work in running early childhood studies in Liverpool and break throughs in discovering potential interventions.
Following a short break, a second session of presentations continued this reflective focus. The INSiGHTS team shared their achievements including work with marginalised young people and community partners and how they plan to explore how literature and art can be used to engage young people in research.
Partners at the University of Bradford and University of York reflected on an enjoyable partnership with OH BRC, having worked across several mind in development projects including running Patient and Public Involvement workshops in OSCA intervention for social anxiety.
Colleagues from the AIM team provided a video recording sharing their reflections on work co-designing tools to investigate the causes of common mental health conditions in children and young people.
Supporting Early Minds Research Network colleagues shared that one of their key achievements was setting up their website explaining network membership, how researchers can advertise projects and how early years centres can become a research site to collaborate with network members on research. Network colleagues also celebrated the achievements of the Developing Child UK Priority Setting Partnership, which brings patients, carers, and health and care professionals together to agree the most important unanswered questions about health and wellbeing.
The final session of the meeting focused on looking ahead. Discussions explored what the next phase of work might involve for the Mental Health in Development Theme, including ideas for strengthening collaboration, building on existing networks, and what else could be considered for the next OH BRC application in 2028.
Reflecting on the day, Professor Cathy Creswell, Mental Health in Development Theme Co-Lead said:
“Bringing together colleagues from across our networks allowed us to celebrate important achievements, from supporting young people and families to strengthening research engagement in schools and early years settings.
“The discussions also reinforced how essential collaboration will be as we shape the next phase of work for the Theme.”
Professor Polly Waite, Mental Health in Development Theme Co-Lead said:
“A huge thank you to everyone who attended and to those who helped organise such a successful day. As we move into the final years of the current award, this meeting helped us focus on where we can have the greatest impact and how we can strengthen our networks further.
“The ideas shared will be instrumental in shaping our future priorities and informing our thinking towards the next BRC application in 2028.”
If you would like to know more about the Mental Health in Development Theme, contact mhdevelopment@psych.ox.ac.uk.
