🌿 GREENIN at the NIHR ARC Thames Valley Launch Event
On 16 September 2026, GREENIN was delighted to attend the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration (ARC) Thames Valley Launch Event at MK Gallery, following a kind invitation from Professor Kam Bhui, Director of ARC Thames Valley and GREENIN Co-Lead.
Under the theme “Powered by communities, driven by real-world research,” the event brought together researchers, healthcare professionals, community partners and other stakeholders to explore how research can respond to real-world health and societal challenges across the Thames Valley.
GREENIN Project Officer Xiaohui Wu and Associate Professor Elisa with Professor Kam Bhui, Director of NIHR ARC Thames Valley and GREENIN Co-Lead, at the ARC Thames Valley Launch Event on 16 September 2026.
The programme opened with a welcome from Professor Kam Bhui, followed by contributions from representatives of the host organisation and ARC Thames Valley leadership. The morning sessions explored several important areas, including the grand challenges facing the Thames Valley, how research can travel beyond academia, and the role of Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement (PPIE) in shaping meaningful and relevant research.
GREENIN Project Officer Xiaohui Wu and Associate Professor Elisa with Professor Kam Bhui, Director of NIHR ARC Thames Valley and GREENIN Co-Lead, at the ARC Thames Valley Launch Event on 16 September 2026.
A particular focus throughout the event was the importance of working closely with communities and ensuring that research is informed by the people and organisations it is intended to benefit. Discussions around PPIE highlighted the value of involving patients and members of the public throughout the research process, while the wider programme demonstrated the importance of building connections across disciplines, institutions and sectors.
The afternoon included interactive workshop sessions, providing further opportunities for participants to exchange perspectives, identify shared challenges and explore potential areas for collaboration. The event also brought together a wide range of ARC Thames Valley themes and partners, creating valuable opportunities for networking and knowledge exchange.
For GREENIN, the event offered a valuable opportunity to connect with colleagues working across health, wellbeing, the built environment and community-focused research. These conversations are highly relevant to GREENIN’s own interdisciplinary approach to understanding how indoor and surrounding greening can contribute to healthier, more sustainable and resilient environments.
It was also a pleasure to meet Professor Kam Bhui in person. As a GREENIN Co-Lead, Professor Bhui brings important expertise and perspectives to the network, and we greatly appreciate his invitation to join the ARC Thames Valley community for this launch event.
We look forward to continuing to build connections across research, health, communities and the built environment, and to exploring future opportunities for collaboration and knowledge exchange.