What we do
The National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Older People and Frailty Policy Research Unit (PRU) aims to produce timely, high quality evidence for policymakers.
We are a collaboration between the University of Manchester, Newcastle University and the London School of Economics. Our aims are to answer policymakers’ questions and help the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) to make informed decisions about the lives of older people.
We carry out research into promoting healthy ageing, the future needs of older people and the provision of high-quality, cost effective care.
The Older People and Frailty Policy Research Unit is funded by the NIHR. We are one of 15 NIHR Policy Research Units currently in operation. You can see a full list on the NIHR website.
Themes
Our work is arranged in themes that are central to the health, wellbeing and care of older people.
Projects
The broader research themes are grouped under our three main research priority projects.
Methods
We will use a range of research methods to answer important policy questions in a way that is timely, scientifically robust, takes account of patient and public views, and makes the best use of resources.
Meet the team
Our team comprises research and administration staff from The University of Manchester, Newcastle University and the London School of Economics.
Chris Todd
Director of Policy Research Unit (Manchester) and Theme Lead for Ageing, Frailty and End-of-Life-Care
Read more about Chris’s research
Barbara Hanratty
Deputy Director of Policy Research Unit (Newcastle) and Theme Lead for Long Term Care
Read more about Barbara’s research
Martin Knapp
Assistant Director of Policy Research Unit (London School of Economics)
Manchester
Chris Todd
Director of Policy Research Unit; Theme Lead for Ageing, Frailty and End-of-Life-Care
Neil Pendleton
Assistant Director (Manchester) and Theme Lead for Ageing Better Across Life-course
Peter Bower
Theme Lead for Equitable Spread of Health Technology
Alistair Burns
Mental Health Lead
Terry O’Neill
Epidemiology Lead
Lis Boulton
Research Fellow
Alex Hall
Research Associate
Asri Maharani
Research Associate
Louise Cook
PRU Manager
Jane McDermott
PRU Manager
Shaun Seale-Finch
PRU Administrator
Newcastle
Barbara Hanratty
Deputy Director of Policy Research Unit; Theme Lead Long Term Care
Fiona Matthews
Assistant Director and Theme Lead for Frailty, Disability, Multimorbidity and Personalised Healthcare
Dawn Craig
Methodological Lead for Evidence Synthesis
Stuart Parker
Clinical Geriatrics Lead
Carol Jagger
Theme Lead for Impact of Population Change on Health and Social Care
Louise Robinson
Primary Care Lead
Joy Adamson
Qualitative Lead
Lynne Corner
SPPIE Lead
Fiona Beyer
Information Scientist
Gemma Spiers
Senior Research Associate
Claire Welsh
Senior Research Associate
David Sinclair
Postdoctoral Research Associate
Patience Kunonga
Research Assistant
Anosua Mitra
PRU Administrator
London School of Economics
Martin Knapp
Assistant Director (London); Management Committee Member
Raphael Wittenberg
Professorial Research Fellow
Contact us
If you would like to ask any questions about our work, please get in touch by emailing:
The views expressed on this website are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of the NHS, the National Institute for Health Research, the Department of Health and Social Care or its arm’s length bodies, and other government departments.
