Our future

'Since life sciences will be one of the great drivers of growth in the twenty first century. We want the UK to be one of the best places in the world to invest in a life-science business and deliver research.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the HRA demonstrated that it is possible to get ethically-approved research underway rapidly whilst maintaining public confidence. Now is the time to learn from these extraordinary times to transform the way we work and collaborate.

In the next ten years, we hope that the HRA will continue to make it easier to conduct high quality research by partnering with patients and the wider public. These partnerships in research and innovation will enable the UK to deliver more world-leading, life-changing breakthroughs in science and improvements in the health of our nation.'

'Doing more health and social care research in the UK benefits everybody. But it is important that this takes place in a transparent way, within a clearly regulated framework, so that research is done with people not to people.

Over the past ten years, the HRA has made it easier to do cutting-edge research in the UK while leading the way to boost meaningful public involvement in the design and delivery of this and transparency about it. Its rapid response to COVID-19 made it possible to get world-leading research underway at speed, within a strong ethical framework.

COVID-19 has shown us that we must be ambitious and there is much to do to tackle health inequalities that have been magnified by the pandemic. Going forward, the HRA has a key role to play in continuing to streamline the system to make the UK an attractive place to do high-quality research, while influencing the research culture in the UK to embed a real partnership with patients and the public that dismantles barriers and incentivises participation. This will help us do more high-quality research that is truly inclusive and improves peoples’ lives.’

'I am delighted by the way in which the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency's (MHRA) collaboration with the Health Research Authority has grown over the past 10 years, resulting in a streamlined research approval process via our combined regulatory and research ethics committee review.

As we celebrate HRA’s 10th Anniversary, we look forward to our continuing collaboration over the next decade, furthering our shared commitment to improve people’s health and wellbeing through well-conducted research and making the UK a great place to develop and deliver innovation.'

'There can be no doubt that the HRA’s remarkable contribution in the pandemic, through expert timely high-quality ethical review of numerous clinical interventions, with appropriate urgency and attention to detail was critical in the development of new vaccines and treatments that have saved countless lives.

It has been a privilege to work with the organisation from its birth to this momentous birthday, and experience first-hand how effective the systems that were built have been in this time of need for humanity.'

'The HRA has knitted together a really complicated system of approvals for researchers in the UK and brought most of them into one single place. It's still not as easy as ordering your shopping from an online supermarket, but it's greatly improved.'

'The most important thing the HRA has achieved has been significantly streamlining the system for approval of studies.'

'Perhaps the single biggest achievement for the HRA has been its successful partnership working, which it has brought to every aspect of its work over the past ten years.  Alongside the HRA and partners, we have shared best practice, learning and innovative thinking, systematically tackling the many challenges, that emerge across the health research landscape.

On behalf of Health & Social Care Northern Ireland, I wish the HRA a very happy 10th anniversary, and continued success for the future.'

'The HRA has played a crucial role in research transparency and trial reporting with its Make it Public campaign. This effort has significantly raised the awareness of academia and industry on the importance of publishing all trial data, both positive and negative to avoid duplication, improve future trial design and drive collaboration.'

'Over the last 10 years the HRA has quietly and consistently been leading the world in the ethics governance of research. It has been responsive to the needs and concerns of researchers, regulators and, crucially, patients and participants in a way that other national research regulators could only hope to be. The pandemic saw it move into a new gear without sacrificing ethical or scientific rigour. The #ThinkEthics programme promises to embed that learning into the governance of research processes for the future.'

'The HRA has risen to challenges and shown itself to be an agile and innovative regulator in the face of the recent pandemic. This is a testament to all the people – staff, patients, researchers, research managers and health professionals – who have contributed to its work over the last 10 years.'

'Over the last 10 years, the HRA has been making significant improvements to the research approvals service, and we have welcomed how UK compatibility and working in partnership has been at the heart of their work.'

'I’ve been really impressed by the role that the HRA has taken on in relation to the involvement of patients, carers and members of the public in research. I’d like to see that continue and develop over the next 10 years, so that involvement in research becomes the norm.'

'Over the past 10 years, the Health Research Authority has established itself as a champion of ethical, high-quality research. This work has helped to improve UK standards in transparency, patient and public involvement, and clinical trial regulation.'

'The biggest achievement of the HRA’s first 10 years is the streamlining of the regulatory approval process (and hence burden on R&D departments) and removing the requirement for regulatory approval where it is not necessary.'