BSG Research Strategy 2021-2024 

The BSG is delighted to publish this Research Strategy 2021-24, which builds on work done over many years and provides an update since the last strategy was published in 2018. 

This document has been written for the BSG membership, for patients and carers, for our charity partners, for our colleagues at the National Institute for Health Research and their Clinical Research Networks, and for funders of the important research we do in Gastroenterology and Hepatology. This strategy will outline the key priorities for each of the clinical research groups and also our three overarching priorities.

Read the BSG Research Strategy 2021-2024 here.

About BSG Clinical Research Groups

The Gut Microbiota for Health Expert Panel

The Gut Microbiota for Health Expert Panel represents a group of multi-disciplinary members (including primary and secondary care clinicians, microbiologists, dietitians and research scientists) with expertise and interest in the gut microbiota and its role in health and disease. The Group is under the auspices of the British Society of Gastroenterology Research Committee.

The group was formed in 2013 and now includes over 50 members who meet twice a year, arrange meetings and workshops on key topics related to the microbiota and publish articles in high impact journals, as well as writing articles to enhance understanding with the public.

Find out more

BSG AI Task Force

The AI Task Force is a group of BSG members who have a specialist interest in the rapidly developing area of artificial intelligence as it applies to gastrointestinal medicine.  The Group is under the auspices of the Research Committee.

The group was formed in 2021 and includes over 30 members who meet four times a year. The focus is to identify the key needs of gastroenterologists and their patients in service delivery, research, and teaching. The group has formed special interest groups (SIGs) in each of these areas, as well as SIGs for natural language processing (NLP) and disease-specific areas including inflammatory bowel disease. The quarterly plenary meetings ensure that all the groups continue to work together for the common good.

Find out more.

The NIHR Clinical Research Network

The NIHR Clinical Research Network is part of the National Institute for Health Research. We provide researchers with the practical support they need to make clinical studies happen in the NHS, so that more research takes place across England, and more patients can take part. This practical support includes: reducing the “red-tape” around setting up a study; enhancing NHS resources by funding the people and facilities needed to carry out research “on the ground”; helping researchers to identify suitable NHS sites, and recruit patients to take part in research studies; advising researchers on how to make their study “work” in the NHS environment.

The network supports clinical research infrastructure throughout England, which is working towards increased access for patients to new and better treatments in the NHS. We support all therapeutic areas including Hepatology and Gastroenterology.   If you want to find out more about our Hepatology and Gastroenterology Specialties then further information can be found in the profiles below.  If you want to link with someone locally, then check out our local leads.

The INCLUDE guidance has been designed to be used in conjunction with research, particularly in the early stages of setting-up. The guidance aims to get research teams thinking about ways of making health research more inclusive and to ensure under-served cohorts are more fairly represented in health research.

Trainee Research Networks

Trainee research networks are a collaborative effort to conduct high-quality multicentre audits or research that is led, designed and delivered by trainees. Our specialty has been able to produce some truly impactful research, and we look forward to future work and collaborations.

Check out the currently active trainee networks within gastroenterology and hepatology here.

Partner Charities and Research Associations

Crohn’s & Colitis UK (C&C)

For more than 30 years, C&C have been leading research activities that build evidence and create insight into the lived experiences, causes, and best treatments of Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis. 

Association of Physicians of Great Britain and Ireland (AoP) 

The Association of Physicians of GB and Ireland is the home of Interdisciplinary Translational Medicine hosting a vibrant community of researchers at all career stages. Their aim is to promote high quality interdisciplinary translational research to improve human health and well being. Their Vision is to 1) Engage the wider scientific and public community to raise the profile of interdisciplinary translational research, 2) Develop the careers of translational researchers, 3) Share ideas and knowledge.

Read more. 

Guts UK 

Guts UK has 29 active research studies across the UK, with the grants awarded totalling around £2.3 million. 

Read more.

Academic Research Grants Database

This database provides a list of academic research grants available in gastroenterology, hepatology, and related fields. This is compiled on a monthly basis by the BSG and includes NIHR grants, AMRC charity grants, International grants, small grants, as well as grants aimed at nurses and early career researchers. The BSG cannot accept any responsibility for the content of any of these listings, they are for information only.

Academic Research Grants

Please contact [email protected] if you have a relevant opportunity you would like included on this list.

Committee Members

Read the Research Committee Terms of Reference.