Clinical research improves health of UK economy and NHS
The value of clinical research to the NHS, the UK economy and jobs market has been evaluated in a new report, which provides an assessment of the economic impact of the National Institute for Health Research Clinical Research Network's activities to support clinical research in England. It shows that NIHR’s collaboration with charities in research has more than doubled in the last 10 years.

New report reveals insights into grant peer review worldwide
The first large-scale survey on competitive research grant peer review has been published by Publons. The researchers and funders surveyed, strongly support the continued use of peer review but believe improvements are needed. The report features comments from AMRC and corresponds with our recent thought-piece.

SMC guide for researchers experiencing online harassment
The Science Media Centre and academic publishers Taylor & Francis have launched a guide to help researchers across academia tackle the online harassment some face as they share their findings with the public on some of the world’s most controversial, and vital topics. It offers clear practical tips with an added focus on how to deal with social media harassment and malicious comments on forums.

BHF's new £10 million data science centre
The BHF Data Science Centre will promote the ethical use of data for research into cardiovascular disease, aligning with Health Data Research UK’s secure data infrastructure and recently launched Health Data Research Hubs. Its ultimate aim is to enable research that combines the power of advanced analytic methods with the UK’s large-scale and diverse cardiovascular data.

Queen's speech announces government's legislative agenda
Following the close of the Parliamentary session last week, the State Opening of Parliament took place with the Queen’s Speech outlining government’s intended legislative programme. Twenty-six Bills were announced with several of relevance to the sector, covering Brexit, immigration, NHS patient safety, and medicines and medical devices.

Government's No-Deal Readiness Report published
The Cabinet Office has published its No-Deal Readiness Report providing summaries of previously announced actions on medical devices, human medicines, and critical medical supplies, as well as listing potential opportunities from a no-deal Brexit around innovative regulation, clinical trials reporting and fast-track visas for top researchers. AMRC members with Brexit-related concerns should contact Anna.

NCVO publishes free safeguarding resources for charities
The National Council for Voluntary Organisations has launched free online resources to help charities improve their safeguarding practices. The resources outline the simple steps that charities can take to ensure that they protect beneficiaries, staff and others from suffering harm, harassment, bullying, abuse and neglect.

Nobel prize jointly awarded to UK scientist Sir Peter Ratcliffe
Sir Peter Ratcliffe has been awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 2019, jointly with William Kaelin Jr and Gregg Semenza, ‘for their discoveries of how cells sense and adapt to oxygen availability’.

Navigating the patient data landscape
Join us on 27 February for an educative workshop that will enable attendees to understand and navigate the complex data landscape, showcasing what’s underway so far, and ways charities can be involved.