Neighbourhood health, elevated through research, enabled by community engagement
The Manchester Inclusive Research Hub is an NIHR-supported neighbourhood research network bringing together 10 GP practices serving nearly 100,000 patients across Ardwick and Longsight, Manchester.
Hosted by Manchester Integrative Medical Practice as part of the Greater Manchester Inclusive Research Network (GM IRN), the Hub enables high-quality health research to be delivered where it matters most – in neighbourhood general practice.
Our model combines research delivery, community engagement and workforce development to ensure that people living in ethnically diverse and socioeconomically underserved communities have equitable opportunities to participate in, and benefit from, research and innovation.
Our Vision
Neighbourhood health, elevated through research, enabled by community engagement.
We believe research should be part of everyday healthcare – not something that happens elsewhere. By bringing research into neighbourhood general practice and working alongside local communities, we are creating a more inclusive research system that generates better evidence and delivers better health for everyone.
What We Do
The Hub supports:
- Delivery of NIHR portfolio and commercial research studies within primary care.
- Inclusive recruitment of participants from underserved communities.
- Community engagement to improve awareness, trust and participation in research.
- Collaboration between GP practices, universities, NHS organisations, industry and VCSFE partners.
- Development and evaluation of innovative neighbourhood-based models of research delivery.
- Training and development of the future primary care research workforce.
Our Network
- 10 GP practices
- Serving almost 100,000 patients
- Across Ardwick and Longsight, Manchester
Together, our practices serve one of the UK’s most ethnically diverse and socioeconomically diverse populations, helping ensure research reflects the communities it is intended to benefit.
Current Research
The Hub is currently supporting studies across a range of clinical areas including:
- Diabetes
- Cardiovascular disease
- Respiratory health
- Dementia
- Women’s Health
- Genetics and genomics
- Digital health technologies
- Prevention and early diagnosis
Our research portfolio continues to expand through partnerships with NHS organisations, universities and industry.
Innovation and Training
The Manchester Inclusive Research Hub is committed not only to delivering research but also to developing the future workforce.
We are pioneering GP Integrated Training Posts (ITPs) in Inclusive Research, creating opportunities for GP trainees to combine clinical practice in underserved neighbourhoods with experience in inclusive research design, community engagement and research delivery.
By embedding research within everyday general practice, we aim to develop future clinical leaders who can champion equitable access to research throughout their careers.
Meet the Team
Dr Maria Ahmed Drake
Director
GP Partner, Founder and Director of the Greater Manchester Inclusive Research Network (GM IRN), and Honorary Senior Lecturer at the University of Manchester. Maria leads the strategic development of the Hub and works with academic institutions, industry, NIHR infrastructure and community partners to develop innovative models of inclusive neighbourhood research.
Kate Johnson
Research Coordinator
Kate coordinates research delivery across the Hub, supporting participating practices, study set-up and day-to-day operational management.
Millie Ashurst
Research Physician Associate
Millie supports the delivery of clinical research across the Hub, undertaking participant visits, study procedures and helping ensure high-quality, patient-centred research delivery.
Health & Research Champions
Our Health & Research Champions work directly with local communities to raise awareness of health research, promote prevention and wellbeing, and help residents understand opportunities to take part in research.
- Michelle Graham
- Shazia Ahmad
Research Administration
Supported by our central research administration team:
- Mikey Maxwell
- Marcela Giraldo
Together they coordinate study administration, practice support and participant pathways across the network.
Our Collaborators
We work in partnership with organisations across Greater Manchester, including:
- Greater Manchester Inclusive Research Network (GM IRN)
- NIHR North West Regional Research Delivery Network
- NIHR Greater Manchester Applied Research Collaboration (GM ARC)
- NIHR Greater Manchester Research Engagement Network (GM REN)
- The University of Manchester
- Manchester Local Care Organisation (MLCO)
- Local GP practices and community organisations
Get Involved
Whether you are:
- a GP practice looking to join our Hub,
- a researcher seeking to deliver inclusive studies,
- or an organisation interested in collaborating,
we would be delighted to hear from you.
Email: gmicb-mh.mimpresearch@nhs.net