Health Research Institute

Health Research Institute

The Health Research Institute (HRI) brings together academics and professionals who deliver research, innovation and knowledge exchange in health and wellbeing across the lifespan.



Research centres

Advanced Wellbeing Research Centre

Advanced Wellbeing Research Centre

Improving the health and wellbeing of the population through movement and treatment of disease

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Sport and Physical Activity Research Centre

Sport and Physical Activity Research Centre

World-class research in sport performance, physical activity and health, sport business and engineering

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A product being tested using 3d surface imaging

The Sheffield Multimodal Imaging Centre

The Sheffield Multimodal Imaging Centre (SMIC) is a leading research and development facility, bringing together industry-recognised equipment and expertise in biosciences, health and materials.

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Centre for Loneliness Studies lead image

Centre for Loneliness Studies

Internationally recognised, high quality academic research on loneliness which is theoretically driven and both informed by, and able to inform, policy and practice.

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Academic departments

Expertise

At the Health Research Institute, we share expertise in art and design research, biomolecular and biomedical science, data modelling, economics, engineering, health and social care and health policy, nutrition sport science, physical activity and behaviour change.

Funders and partners

We work together with external partners in health and social care, the public sector, industry, local communities and the third sector, working together to shape the future of health and wellbeing.

Featured projects

A runner in motion

Working with parkrun on pioneering research

Investigating how parkrun impacts the lives and wellbeing of participants

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Children with ASD using a robot

Robotics for children with special needs

Improving the experience of medical appointments for children with ASD through robotics

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Mediterranean diet salad

Cognitive effects of a Mediterranean diet

Exploring the cognitive effects of adhering to a Mediterranean diet alongside regular exercise

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Woman serving tea

The Life Café

Creating a space for conversations about life and end of life care

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Children looking out of window in winter

Warm well families

Helping families of children with asthma keep warm in cold weather

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Hora Soltani, Professor in Maternal and Infant Health at Sheffield Hallam University

Perinatal care models for migrant mothers

Implementing an integrated care model for migrant mothers in Europe

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Interdisciplinary work

Our interdisciplinary community and portfolio of people, minds and skills produces highly adaptive, practical and creative solutions to existing and emergent local and global challenges facing individuals and society at large. We apply cutting edge methodologies to deliver evidence-based interventions that have an impact on people’s lives. 

Collaboration is the beating heart of the institute. Alongside our research centres, we also work with Biomolecular Sciences Research Centre (BMRC) and Lab4Living (L4L).

Staff

Professor Heidi Probst

Heidi Probst

Institute director

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