14 Jan 2026
February – March 2026
Online Course
NIHR ARC North Thames | MH-ALL
Applications are currently open
Are you a mental health practitioner working in healthcare, public health, social care or local government who is interested in research or would like to better understand how research fits within your professional role?
This self-paced online course offers a supportive introduction to research for mental health practitioners and colleagues working across health, social care, public health and local government.
Engaging with research can help address questions that arise in professional settings and support evidence-informed decision-making. This course is designed for those who are keen to explore research and how it can be embedded into everyday practice.
Why Attend
Build Research Confidence: Develop a clear understanding of research processes and how they relate to your professional role.
Practical Relevance: Learn how research can be embedded into everyday mental health practice.
Flexible Learning: Access self-paced materials designed to fit around professional commitments.
The course introduces key aspects of the research process, from understanding the research cycle to exploring different methodologies and approaches. Learning is supported through short, accessible videos and reflections from colleagues with experience of working in and with research.
The course is delivered by MH-ALL in collaboration with the NIHR ARC North Thames Academy.
Course format and dates
Thank you for your interest in this self-paced online course, which is expected to run over four weeks in February 2026 and requires approximately 8 hours to complete, with optional live sessions in March 2026. Exact dates and further details will be shared once your place has been confirmed.
Eligibility and selection
Applicants are invited to apply and will be selected based on their suitability for the course.
Applicants should meet the following eligibility criteria:
- Be a mental health practitioner, or working, volunteering, engaged in, or interested in mental health research
- Have basic research skills and experience, to ensure they can benefit fully from the training
- Not be required to be actively working on a research project, as the course will support thinking around research planning and next steps
- Be willing to actively participate in course activities, reflections, and discussions to maximise engagement from an experiential and reflective perspective
- This course is not aimed at academics or established researchers.
By the end of the course participants will:
- Have a basic understanding of the research cycle and research processes
- Understand how to navigate research and develop a pathway into research
- Be able to identify how research can be used within their professional role
- Gain tools to support and advocate for research engagement within their organisation
How to apply
All applications must be submitted by Friday 26 January 2026 at 17:00PM.
You can apply for the Getting into Research for Mental Health Practitioners course by following this link:
Getting into Research for Mental Health Practitioners
Contact
If you have any questions about this course, please contact mh-all@ucl.ac.uk