The Coventry HDRC conducts research into the building blocks of health. The initial research priority areas are aligned with the One Coventry Priorities and the related Marmot Principles to ensure the HDRC focuses on what is important in the city.
Read on to learn why this area is important and to gain insight into the completed research by the Coventry HDRC about the following areas of interest:
- Transport
- Local economy
- Housing and homelessness
- Digital inclusion
- Employment and skills
- Best start in life (early years)
- New emerging priorities, including green spaces and support services
The research is conducted on a continuous basis. We are interested in collaborating with the Council and VCSEs to discover new areas of interest based on local needs. The HDRC will also facilitate and develop research into new emerging priorities. The HDRC research priority areas will continue to evolve and develop over time informed by local communities, priorities and research needs.
Data catalogue
The Research Fellow in Quantitative and Mixed-Methods is working with the Performance Data and Continuous Improvement team at Coventry City Council and collaborators from University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire to develop a data catalogue. The aim of the data catalogue is to provide a central place for individuals to know what data is publicly accessible for research purposes, collaboration, and for helping to support evidence-based decision making within policy, to help support individuals living in Coventry. The data catalogue includes a range of topics, areas, and work currently being completed at Coventry City Council. Each topic has its own section which includes:
- Definition of topic being explored
- Data sources which are publicly accessible, including links (where possible)
- Guidance of how to use and interpret data sources
- A key contact from Coventry City Council for if you have any questions for the specific topic area or about the data sources.
So far, there have been six topics drafted for the data catalogue including: Children’s Services (early years, and young people), Employment and Skills, Digital Inclusion, Housing/Homelessness and Air Quality.
Highlighted research output
Bell et al. (2025) Baseline assessments of research capacity, capability and culture in UK local authorities: reflections from evaluators embedded in Health Determinants Research Collaborations. Health Res. Policy Syst. 23(68) You can also view an accessible version of the Progress Evaluation in text format.
Bell, Young & Phillips. (2024) Ten years as a Marmot city: Coventry’s reflections. Available online: www.coventry.gov.uk/marmot-monitoring-tool/ten-years-marmot-city
Ryder et al. (2025, September). Health Determinants Research Collaboration Coventry: Creating a Data Catalogue in a Local Authority [conference talk] Health Data Research UK Midlands, Loughborough, UK.
Shuttleworth et al. (2025) Approaches for community intervention and research priority setting to reduce health inequalities: A scoping review (2025). Journal of Public Health. (Accepted, in press)
Tsang et al. (2025, May). Creating a research infrastructure for a local authority: Health Determinants Research Collaboration Coventry [conference poster]. Research and Development Forum, Manchester, UK.
Wang et al. (2024). Ecotherapy for Adolescents Experiencing Mental Health Challenges: Qualitative Exploration of Perspectives of Adolescents and Parents. Creat. Ment. Health, 20(3).
Wang et al. (2025). Professional and survivor perspectives on a co-located early domestic abuse intervention in a police station: A qualitative study. Criminol. Crim. Justice.
Rapid evidence reports
Barriers to uptake of funded retrofitting/energy efficiency housing improvements
Effects of home energy efficiency improvements on mental and physical health.docx sharepoint
Initiatives around “Green Skills”
Mobile outreach services for substance misuse.docx sharepoint
NIHR
The NIHR Health Determinants Research Collaboration (HDRC) Coventry is part of the NIHR and hosted by Coventry City Council.
Visit the NIHR website