Our research strategy 2022 - 2026

Better lives today, better lives tomorrow

To find out more, read our research strategy.

Read our research strategy in Welsh.

Our research strategy is a roadmap for delivering change in musculoskeletal research. It is the framework we use to guide our research investment for four financial years, 22/23 to 25/26.  

Our research strategy highlights: 

  • Where we will invest directly 
  • Where we won’t invest 
  • Where we will use our voice to influence 

We want research to make arthritis preventable, manageable, and treatable. Research needs to be making a bigger difference to people’s lives, quicker. So, people don’t live with the pain, fatigue and isolation of arthritis.

Our research strategy focuses our research investment to accelerate the pace and precision of musculoskeletal research.

It centres our activity on four areas where we aim to drive positive change for individuals living with arthritis.

  1. Early detection and prevention: Spotting the signs early and reducing the impact of arthritis.

  2. Targeted treatment: More effective drug and non-drug treatments.

  3. Living well: More people living well with their condition, feeling supported in their day-to-day life.

  4. People and partnerships: Making life better for people with arthritis becomes a priority for researchers, funders and investors.

Better lives today, better lives tomorrow

“We began with what seemed like an impossible task, but everyone had the same vision – to ensure the future of research was done with, and for, those with musculoskeletal conditions. People with musculoskeletal conditions are at the centre of every pathway ensuring that research has meaning and impact on many lives.”

- Debra Dulake, research volunteer and strategy development group member 

Our Advisory/Clinical Studies Groups are integral to continuously identifying unmet needs in arthritis research and informing our prioritisation of research areas, they help shape our activities in our priority areas.  Our ‘Gaps and Opportunities for Arthritis Research’ document (Word 342 KB) is dynamically updated with the work of the Groups and other prioritisation settings exercises.