NIHR Sheffield BRC - Introducing Readable Research

An innovative project led by scientists in Sheffield is aiming to make neuroscience research more readable by publishing clear, simple summaries of scientific papers.

Teams from the University of Sheffield’s Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN) and the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Sheffield Biomedical Research Centre have come together to launch Readable Research.

This new website, www.readableresearch.com, has launched and already has a collection of articles from over the last three years on motor neurone disease, Parkinson’s, dementia and stroke.

The summaries are written by the scientists who have carried out the studies, reviewed by those living with the conditions and shared online for all to see.

It will continue to publish research which is hot off the press so that everyone can read, clearly and simply, the work being done, why it matters today, and the impact it could have tomorrow.

Readable Research also aims to go behind the scenes and showcase the ‘Lab Lives’ of some of those involved in the world-leading research.

From postdoctoral research associates, PhD students and research assistants, the video stories will aim to showcase the commitment and passion of the scientists involved at every level and how the work they are doing is changing lives.

The project is led by the University of Sheffield’s Dr Scott Allen, lecturer in neuroscience at SITraN, who said:

“Our experts spend months carrying out their work, they produce detailed papers, and their peers review them. Those reports are detailed and important, but we know they are often not easy to read for most people beyond our labs. It’s our mission to change that.

“The University of Sheffield’s SITraN researchers and Sheffield Biomedical Research Centre are committed to developing summaries that are readable by everyone – something which is so important for those of us who care so much about the work we are doing.

“Written by the scientists behind the research, they are then read, reviewed and refined by those living with the conditions we are studying. It is crucial they understand our work, and they help us make the connections between the research and reality.

“I hope Readable Research becomes an essential resource so we can all see why the millions invested in research by government, charities and individuals matters, and understand the difference it is making to so many lives across this country and around the world.”

Professor Dame Pam Shaw, Director of SITraN and the NIHR Sheffield Biomedical Research Centre (BRC), said:

“We are very keen to ensure that our clinical and scientific research discoveries are communicated to patients and the general public in a way that is interesting and accessible to people who are not scientists.

“The patients with the neurological conditions upon which we work strongly support our research programmes in many ways and it is really important that we feed back our results – and where possible offer hope for improved understanding and treatment options for these neurological illnesses.

“Readable Research has very strong support from all of the SITraN and BRC research teams and our Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement groups”.

Some of the Readable Research team from SITraN, at the University of Sheffield (left to right): Marianne King, Emily Mossman, Charlotte Gale, Jade Howard, Alannah Mole and Dr Scott Allen.

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The NIHR Sheffield Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) is part of the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) and hosted by Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust in partnership with The University of Sheffield.