Portsmouth’s CiH-Well: a new hub for integrated health research
The University of Portsmouth has officially launched the Centre for Integrated Health and Wellbeing (CiH-Well), a cross-disciplinary research hub created to address complex health challenges from childhood through to older age. The centre unites experts across psychology, sports and exercise science, social care, healthcare delivery, and digital technologies to tackle multifaceted health issues in real-world settings.
A mission to reduce health inequalities and improve practical outcomes
CiH-Well places health inequalities at its core, aiming to ensure fair access to good health no matter a person’s background or where they live. By translating academic insights into actionable solutions, the centre seeks to address chronic illnesses, mental health disorders, and preventable diseases, with potential benefits for individuals, families, and communities on local, national, and global scales.
Interdisciplinary approach and international reach
Building on the university’s strengths, CiH-Well brings together researchers from multiple disciplines within the Faculty of Science and Health and beyond. By blending psychology, biomechanics, digital health, data science, social care, and clinical practice, the centre aims to create holistic health strategies that work in everyday life. Key themes include cardiovascular health, mental wellbeing, musculoskeletal conditions, healthy aging, and the deployment of digital health tools and wearable technologies to monitor and improve outcomes.
Strong track record and funding momentum
Over the past five years, CiH-Well members have secured more than £5.4 million in research funding from UK research councils, Innovate UK, the European Union, charitable foundations, and industry partners. This funding supports innovative projects, from early-stage discoveries to scalable interventions that can be adopted by health services and communities.
Public involvement and growing the next generation of researchers
A cornerstone of CiH-Well is its Public and Patient Involvement and Engagement (PPIE) networks, designed to involve communities in setting research priorities and co-creating solutions. The centre also prioritises talent development, offering mentorship and opportunities for early-career researchers to collaborate across disciplines and institutions, helping to build a diverse health research workforce.
Strategic location, partnerships, and momentum
Situated within the Faculty of Science and Health, CiH-Well strengthens Portsmouth’s role in regional and national health research. The university has already demonstrated its capacity to train future clinicians, including launching the UK’s first branch medical degree in partnership with King’s College London, to address GP shortages in Portsmouth and nearby areas. The Faculty’s Institute of Life Sciences and Healthcare has also been refreshed to deepen collaborations with NHS trusts and regional partners across the South East.
Leadership and vision from the launch
Executive Dean Professor Richard Thelwell emphasised that CiH-Well embodies the university’s commitment to world-class, multidisciplinary research with tangible benefits for people’s lives. He noted that the centre’s existing funding momentum positions Portsmouth at the forefront of integrated health and wellbeing research and underpins ambitious new initiatives.
Launch day highlights and future potential
The CiH-Well launch on Monday 29 September featured talks from university researchers and external speakers, facility tours, laboratory demonstrations, and extensive networking opportunities. Supported by the NIHR Wessex Experimental Medicine Network, part of the NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre, the day showcased the power of cross-institution collaboration to tackle health inequalities and deliver meaningful health improvements in the Wessex region and beyond.
Looking ahead: CiH-Well as an international hub
As CiH-Well grows, it aims to become an international hub for innovative health and wellbeing research. By integrating science, technology, and people-centred design, the centre aspires to deliver equitable health improvements that benefit people from childhood through to older age, supported by local, national, and global networks.
