R&D Forum Feedback: What Matters to You

In 2026, the Research and Development Forum (RDF)has gone past its 25 year milestone – a moment to celebrate how far we have come and to recommit to supporting the UK health and care research community for the years ahead.

We are here to amplify your voices and meet your needs as the professionals driving best practice in R&D to support the improvements in health and care we all want to see.

We are using this important milestone as an opportunity to take time to reflect and to engage with you to understand what matters to you now and as we move forward. The operating environment for R&D is changing rapidly, and we want to ensure that we continue to focus on your needs and preferences.

This short feedback form is one of many ways we will be engaging with you over the next year. We genuinely value your honest, constructive insights – they will help us remain relevant and better meet your needs.

A quick note: please share only what you feel comfortable sharing. If you would prefer to remain anonymous, please avoid including names or other identifying details in the free-text boxes.

Thank you for taking the time.

Angela Topping
Chair – R&D Forum

RDF26 Feedback

Events

We plan to introduce one-day symposia for colleagues from across the UK Health and Care R&D system, creating more opportunity to deep-dive into priority topics such as streamlining study set-up, supporting research in wider care settings, workforce, VCSE sector partnerships and Integrated Care Systems and research.

Would these symposia be of interest to you?

Yes

Not sure yet

What would make these symposia more accessible to you? (eg, location, price, format etc.)

Is there anything else you would like us to include (topics, formats, locations, timing)?

As we introduce symposia into our events programme, we are also reflecting on the future size, shape and focus of our annual conference. We would really value your thoughts on what matters to you about the conference experience. This might include location, timing, duration, price, format, content, or anything else you’d like to share.

Training and development

We are currently reviewing our training offer, including methods of delivery, course content and structure – and exploring a more modular approach so you can tailor learning to your needs.

What feels missing from our current training offer?

One of the strengths of our training is that it is delivered by colleagues with hands-on, lived experience who understand what it is like to do these roles. We are looking for colleagues from across the UK health and care R&D system to join our training team, and we are revising our offer, so that lived experience is recognised, valued and supported.

Would you be interested in learning more about becoming an RDF trainer?

Yes

Maybe

Please share your contact email address for more information about becoming and RDF Trainer

Working groups

Our Working Groups evolve over time in response to the needs of the UK Health and Care Research Community. Based on what you have learned about the working groups at RDF26, are there any Working Groups you feel:

Are missing and should be developed (‘stepped up’)

Could better support you with a review or refresh

May no longer be needed and could be ‘stepped down’

Any other comments you would like to share about Working Groups eg. How you would like to see them operate, what sort of outputs you would like to see, how they are delivered?

Other

Is there any other feedback you would like to about what matters to you in your role in the UK health and care R&D system – or how RDF could better support your personal and professional development and elevate your ‘voice’ in the system?

Would you be interested in a conversation about how you could support or engage with RDF now and as we move forward?

Yes

Maybe

Please share your contact email address for more information about becoming more involved with the R&D Forum

If you are human, leave this field blank.

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