The three NIHR ARCs in London (South London, Northwest London and North Thames) are supporting a joint bid to form a pan‑London ARC, with an outcome expected in Summer 2026. The proposed pan-London ARC Knowledge Mobilisation and Implementation team is a collaboration which brings together expertise in Implementation, Knowledge Mobilisation (KM) and Implementation Science, and builds on the existing ARC KM investment.

If successful, a single integrated team including Implementation Leads, KM Leads, Implementation Research experts and KM Fellows will work across the capital to ensure research is rapidly translated into practice and aligned with system priorities. 

The theme will focus on three core workstreams: 

1.     Knowledge Mobilisation & Implementation 

2.     Strategic Partnerships 

3.     Knowledge Mobilisation & Implementation Science Research 

KM Projects underway accross ARC London

• Taking a whole programme approach to Knowledge Mobilisation

  Taking a whole programme approach to Knowledge Mobilisation

  The South London Knowledge Mobilisation team are taking a whole-programme approach to achieving three key impact areas: 

  1. to contribute to strengthening knowledge mobilisation and implementation across NIHR by collaborating with national colleagues, exchanging learning, and aligning our work with wider KM developments to help improve processes, practices, understanding, and capacity. 
  2. to support health and care systems in South London to be more responsive to local priorities, ensuring that the needs and insights of partners and partnerships are recognised and used. 
  3. to foster a sustainable, evidence-informed culture across health and care systems in the London region – working with implementation and knowledge mobilisation colleagues based in London regions as appropriate. 

  To deliver on these aims, the team will undertake activities around:

  • capacity building,
  • developing a research-practice partnership model,
  • supporting ARC research themes (including developing case studies to share good KM practice), and
  • facilitating the sharing and importing of learning across contexts.

  The research-practice partnership will focus on an area currently underserved by research, identified through collaboration with stakeholders. 

• Knowledge mobilisation projects within applied health psychology

  Knowledge mobilisation projects within applied health psychology

  A KM fellow from the North West Lodon ARC Knowledge Mobilisation team, is working on projects within applied health psychology:

  1. Mobilising evidence to support the development and implementation of a nature-based mindfulness intervention for people living with long-term physical health conditions, delivered in partnership with London Zoo.
  2. Digital adaptation of materials from established patient and healthcare staff wellbeing courses for delivery via mobile apps, to develop blended models of care. 
• Knowledge mobilisation in the context of public health functions, including support to prisons

  Knowledge mobilisation in the context of public health functions, including support to prisons

  This knowledge mobilisation project is addressing health inequalities in prison populations by developing and evaluating a co-produced basic life support (BLS) and CPR training programme for prison staff and prisoners. Delivered through a partnership between the South Central Ambulance Service, Hammersmith & Fulham Council’s Public Health Team and a West London prison, the project responds to concerns about delays in recognising and responding to medical emergencies in custodial settings.

  Building on recent efforts to increase the availability of defibrillators within the prison, the project is exploring how knowledge and skills related to emergency response can be strengthened and sustained. The first phase assesses current staff knowledge, skills and training needs relating to CPR and basic life support. Findings are then used to co-design a tailored training package with staff, informed by behavioural theory to increase both competence and willingness to act during emergencies.

  The training programme is being piloted and evaluated before being extended more widely, including to prisoners. Researchers are collecting data through interviews, observation, and pre- and post-training assessments of knowledge, skills and confidence.

  The project aims to improve participants’ ability to recognise and respond effectively to life-threatening emergencies, while also increasing confidence and self-esteem. Feedback from participants is being used to refine the training and explore opportunities for adapting and scaling the programme across other prison settings and professional groups, contributing to wider efforts to improve health outcomes and reduce inequalities among people in contact with the justice system.

• Women’s health and improving care pathways between primary and secondary services

  Women’s health and improving care pathways between primary and secondary services

  This Knowledge Mobilisation Fellowship is focused on improving awareness, diagnosis and care pathways for women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) across Northwest London. Drawing on clinical expertise and lived experience, the fellowship aims to strengthen knowledge and service delivery by bridging gaps between primary and secondary care.

  The work includes developing and delivering specialist education and training on PCOS for primary care professionals, helping clinicians improve the identification, management and support of women living with the condition. Educational resources are also being produced for national professional networks to increase knowledge and promote best practice.

  Alongside this, the project is collaborating with secondary care specialists to map access to PCOS services across the UK and identify variation in provision. Research activities include a scoping review and framework analysis of quality-of-life measures used in PCOS, alongside qualitative research exploring experiences of PCOS management from both patient and GP perspectives. These findings are generating evidence to inform future service development and improve the relevance and quality of care.

  This work also contributes to wider women’s health improvement initiatives through collaboration with regional partners to support the development of Women’s Health Hubs in Central London. In addition, it delivers multi-professional education programmes and supports GP fellows undertaking service improvement projects.

  Overall, the KM Fellow is looking to mobilise evidence, professional expertise and lived experience to improve understanding of PCOS, strengthen care pathways, support workforce development and inform more equitable, person-centred women’s health services.

Together, this work will strengthen London’s ability to deliver impactful research, reduce inequalities, and improve outcomes for the capital’s diverse communities.