Training and development
A key part of HDRC Bradford’s work is to support our stakeholders to understand and use research and evidence in their everyday council work. We want to do this in a sustainable way so it becomes the ‘way we do things’ and that everyone feels able to ask ‘what does the evidence say about this?’. We have developed a learning and development approach to develop and apply these skills both personally and professionally. This includes:
- A wide-ranging training programme that enables to understand research and evidence.
- A ‘Community of Research’ to support everyone interested in research.
- Bringing in external academics and experts to support.
- Supporting staff and stakeholders to develop their research interests, skills, and knowledge while raising the importance of research within the Council.
- Showcasing council staff and stakeholder’s work
- Creating networking and collaboration opportunities
Health Determinants Research Collaboration Bradford Training
Our Training and Development team coordinates a monthly series of free webinars and workshop on a range of research topics and methods.
Upcoming training
Better Start Bradford Evidence Webinar - Speech and Language Interventions
Join us for this webinar in collaboration with the Better Start Bradford Innovation Hub, where we will outline approaches used to design relevant speech and language interventions, share findings from implementation and impact evaluations, and discuss how this work has shaped the local offer within Bradford District.
When: Monday, 26 January 2026, 12 noon to 1pm
Where: Microsoft Teams
Link: Join the lunchtime webinar on 26 January
Research with the LGBTQ+ community
This webinar will offer support for public health researchers thinking about research involving the LGBTQ+ community, and offer guidance around building relationships and encouraging participation.
When: Thursday, 29 January 2026, 11.30am to 12.45pm
Where: Online
Link: Book your place to join the webinar on 29 January
Tackling the wider determinants of health
Samina Sheikh will share some of Merton Council's strategies for tackling inequalities in the wider determinants of health, focusing on key themes including environment, housing and child poverty.
When: Tuesday 3 February 2026, 10am to 10.45am
Where: Online
Link: Book your place to join the webinar on 3 February
Breathing in Bradford: The link between air pollution and inequalities
By Bradford District & Craven Health Care Partnership
This session will provide an introduction to air pollution: what it is, the national approach to air quality and how we’re leading the way on this in Bradford District and Craven. We will also cover how air pollution is linked to reducing inequalities, as well as sharing examples of work happening in the district. There will also be time for a Q&A session at the end of the event.
When: Tuesday 10 February 2026, 11am to 12pm,
Where: Online
Link: Book your place to join the webinar on 10 February
Storytelling for public contributors
In this webinar for public contributors, Duncan Yellowlees focuses on telling the story behind, and building confidence to, talk about your connection with research.
When: Wednesday, 11 February 2026, 10am to 10.45am
Where: Online
Link: Book your place to join the webinar on 11 February
HDRC Bradford Q&A session - what do you want to know about research and academia?
HDRC team delivers this session every 8 weeks on Microsoft Teams. If you have any questions regarding research and academia, why not come along to HDRC Q&A drop-in sessions.
When:
- Thursday, 26 February 2026, 12 noon to 1pm
- Thursday, 23 April 2026, 12 noon to 1pm
- Thursday, 18 June 2026, 12 noon to 1pm
- Thursday, 13 August 2026, 12 noon to 1pm
- Thursday, 8 October 2026, 12 noon to 1pm
- Thursday, 3 December 2026, 12 noon to 1pm
Where: Microsoft Teams
Link: Join the HDRC Bradford Q&A sessions
HDRC Bradford Course - Introduction to Research Methods
Whether you’ve never conducted research before or it’s been years since your university days, this free course is designed to help you build confidence and practical skills. It’s a fantastic opportunity to gain meaningful insights and apply research to your work.
What You’ll Learn:
- Introduction to research – what is research, developing research questions, overview of research methods, research cycle, ethics,
- Introduction to qualitative research (methods and analysis)
- Introduction to quantitative research (methods and analysis)
- Introduction to evaluation
- Introduction to coproduction and community involvement
- Introduction to searching for and appraising evidence
- Introduction to evidence-based decision-making
- Planning a research study
Dates
Cohort 1
Day: Saturdays x 4
Date:18, 25 April 9 and 16 May 2026
Time:11am to 3pm
Venue: City Hall, Bradford
Cohort 2
Day: Tuesdays
Potential Dates: 12, 19, 26 May, 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 June 7 and 14 July 2026.
Time:1.30pm to 4.30pm
Venue: City Hall, Bradford
To book your place Email [email protected] with details of your preferred cohort.
Places will be allocated on a first come, first served basis!
National Institute of Health and Care Research
The National Institute of Health and Care Research (NHIR) are the UK's largest health and care research funder. Some resources developed by NIHR organisations are shared below:
- What are Health Determinants Research Collaborations? (short video)
- What is research and why does it matter? (short video)
- Why health determinants are the Council’s business (short video)
- Introduction to cultural competence in research (10-minute video)
- Toolkit for conducting Equality Impact Assessments in Research (written guide)
- Defining Research in Local Authorities: Guidance and Decision Tool - if you can't access this you will need to request access from your IT service