There is an emphasis on multi disciplinary collaboration. Research and consultancy in support of the health sector is conducted in the Faculty of Science and Engineering, the Faculty of Business and the Faculty of Information Technology. Clients include the NHS and a range of private, public and voluntary sector organisations. The Health and Social Policy Research Centre based within the School of Applied Social Science conducts research and consultancy in the fields of health and health promotion, community care, policing, criminal justice, transport, the environment, housing and youth work. The university is home to the Centre for Healthcare Research , an NHS Research and Development Support Unit.
Research is carried out in a number of clinical areas with a particular focus on health psychology.
The Centre also provides training in research methodology for staff in the region's NHS trusts. The Faculty of Health's Postgraduate Medical School is a new venture which enables clinical staff working across a range of disciplines to conduct research, both on an individual basis and in collaboration with colleagues and university staff. Areas of expertise include cardiology, psychiatry, public health, general practice and health informatics. The Clinical Research Centre within the School of Heathcare Professions conducts research in the fields of occupational therapy, physiotherapy and podiatry. The centre focuses on clinical effectiveness, clinical and occupational sciences and education.