Get Involved

WeLReN operates an annual cycle of research funding supported by training opportunities. You can become involved with WeLReN in a number of ways and be as active a member as you wish.

How to get involved with WeLReN activities:

1. Become a member
   By being on the mailing database you will receive a regular bulletin that gives details of primary care research news, WeLReN projects, WeLReN training courses and new research opportunities. Member's views about current issues are sought through the Bulletin and these views are amalgamated to help make decisions. The bulletin is an opportunity for researchers in West London to outline their research projects, sometimes as a way of looking for collaborators or to recruit subjects amongst the WeLReN membership. In 2005 two of the four annual bulletins will be sent by email only.
2. Attend the Annual Conference
   In June of each year, WeLReN members meet at the Conference. The purpose of this is to hear of research projects in progress, develop new ideas for research projects, improve our research skills as well as discuss current policy issues for primary care researchers. There is always a lively exchange of ideas, as this is the main occasion where the diverse strands of WeLReN come together. Attendance at this morning event is free.
3. Join a Special Interest Group
   WeLReN is setting up Special Interest Groups (SIGs) in the following areas: child health, complementary medicine, coronary heart disease, diabetes, health informatics, health equality, maternity, mental health and learning disabilities, nursing, older people, oral health, public health and respiratory medicine. These groups consist of researchers with varied experience who meet through sharing a common interest. It is hoped in the future these groups will generate ideas for research and seek funding for this. The groups provide members with a ready-made network of partners and a vehicle for peer review of research work. If you would like to receive information about a group and when it meets please contact the WeLReN Secretary, welsec@imperial.ac.uk.
4. Join the E-group
   WeLReN has an E-group which allows members to receive details of WeLReN events and opportunities. It also circulates the most relevant primary care research information. However an attempt is made not to bombard members with too many emails. To join the E-group send an email to weladm@imperial.ac.uk . It is also possible to send an email to the group by emailing this account also. Please note that messages will be filtered for relevance to the membership.
5. Undertake a Research Project
   WeLReN accepts applications for research projects that are led by experienced researchers, who are primary care professionals within North West London. Once a year in October we invite researchers to apply for research grants up to the sum of £20,000. Preference is given to projects that:
   • Have at least one novice researcher as an active member of the research team
   • Are linked to one of WeLReN's research programmes – diabetes, older people, mental health, child health or capacity building
   • Have the support of one of WeLReN's Special Interest Groups (SIGs)
   • Involve investigators from at least three different primary care provider units
   • Have consumer/lay involvement in the design or execution of the research
   WeLReN has a strong focus on developmental work on services in primary care. Projects originate in West London and are led from within that Sector. Projects are supported through to completion of the research cycle, to peer-reviewed publication and also in the dissemination of research findings to relevant target groups. WeLReN supports a wide range of research methods including action research, controlled trials, qualitative methods, quantitative methods and systematic reviews. For more information see the research section . Also, "partnership projects" allow practices to collaborate with externally funded academic-led research. The interactive bulletin informs all members of research opportunities. For more information on applying for a research grant contact the WeLReN Research Project Facilitator, welfac@imperial.ac.uk.
6. Apply for a Mini Grant
   If you are a practitioner in West London who is undertaking a piece of research you may not be looking for support to undertake a full research project, but need assistance with a particular hurdle. This might be help with statistical calculations or support with an application to another agency. The mini grants system allows for an application of up to £500 at any point in the year. To find out more contact the WeLReN Research Project Facilitator, welfac@imperial.ac.uk .
7. Develop a Research Interest
   If you have an idea for a research project and you would like to know who else is interested or how to get funding there are a number of ways we can help. We can include research ideas in our Bulletin or send a message via the e-group. Also you can talk to the Project Facilitator about doing a workshop at the Annual Conference.
8. Undertake Training
   WeLReN offers training opportunities as a particular need arises among researchers. One-day workshops have covered such topics as Writing for Publication, Critical Appraisal and Presentation & Facilitation Skills. Members can also access the Methods of Research and Evaluation module run by Imperial College on Thursdays in October to December each year. This can be taken as a stand-alone module or an individual session can be attended that is of interest. To obtain a copy of the 10-week timetable please contact the WeLReN Administrator, weladm@imperial.ac.uk .
   See Training .
9. Learning Communities
   These are geographically and subject based virtual organisations developed by Thames Valley University to support its student placement programme. The communities aim to create opportunities for professionals and academics in primary care to meet in order to inform and learn from each other. It is hoped that they will prove a useful development for research.
10. Other help
    WeLReN can also arrange for access to computing, Internet and library resources through Imperial College . There is, in addition to the Imperial College library, a specific library for WeLReN members - this has books on research methods, statistics, and many other primary care relevant topics. Please contact the WeLReN Secretary, welsec@imperial.ac.uk for a list of titles.