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Rural and Coastal Health

Towards a Healthier Future

Producing purposeful knowledge with real-world impact drives the University of Lincoln’s research in health and wellbeing. Working with local, national, and international partners, our academics are developing new insights into a wide range of health-related challenges, including pre-hospital treatment, healthy ageing, child wellbeing, and community-based care.

Located in a rural region, the University of Lincoln is alert to the particular challenges and opportunities facing non-urban communities in the UK and around the world. Our researchers are leading multidisciplinary studies that are making a tangible difference in these areas, addressing issues such as infectious disease epidemiology, anti-microbial resistance, environmental impact, health inequalities, and access to effective treatments and services.

A foodbank sign on the pavement

Research News

Leading the Fight

In the face of the current cost-of-living crisis, a team of Lincoln sociologists has undertaken a nationwide survey to explore the use of affordable food clubs as a new form of aid – a significant milestone in the fight against food poverty.

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Key Research Institutes, Centres, and Groups

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Lincoln Institute for Rural and Coastal Health

Conducting world-class research to address the most challenging health issues facing rural and coastal communities across the world.

Young girl holding a large red leaf in front of her face

Autism Research Innovation Centre

Focusing on strengthening the wider autism community through participatory action research.

A father and child on a beach at sunset

Centre for Innovation in Fatherhood and Family Research

Addressing and understanding the pressing social issues that directly impact on the lives of families.

Smiling woman in a health care setting

Community and Health Research Unit

With a mission to enhance people’s health and wellbeing and reduce inequalities.

Someone asleep in bed next to an alarm clock

Lincoln Sleep Research Centre

Utilising advanced sleep research facilities and collaborating on studies around the world.

Two bearded lizards walking on a rock

Animal Behaviour, Cognition and Welfare Research Group

Researchers working at the forefront of, and interface between life, environmental, health, computing, and social sciences.

Close up of cancer cells in human body

Cancer and Ageing Research Group

Adopting a multidisciplinary approach to increase understanding of disease associated with ageing at the molecular level.

Collage of images of children, dogs and monkeys

Development and Behaviour Research Group

Investigating the development of cognitive, language, social, emotional, motor, and behavioural processes.

A wildfire

Development, Inequality, Resilience and Environments (DIRE)

Addressing the most urgent and immediate threats to the resilience of human-environment systems.

Device checking sugar levels in blood

Diabetes, Metabolism and Inflammation Research Group

A vision to create a strong, dynamic, and engaged culture to carry out research that has the potential for real-world impact.

Female scientist in pharmaceutical laboratory

Drug Discovery, Design and Delivery Research Group

Exploring pre-clinical aspects, from the identification of novel drug targets to the development of improved methods of delivery.

A beetle

Evolution and Ecology Research Group

Exploring the evolution and ecology of populations, species, and communities across all levels of biological organisation.

Purple wire-frame brain

Forensic and Crime Research Group

Researching the application of psychological knowledge and methods to areas relating to crime and justice.

Autumnal Tree

Healthy Ageing Research Group

Research aims to support the challenges faced by an increasing global life expectancy and ageing populations.

Student looking worried

Mental Health and Health Care Research Group

Providing expert knowledge and guidance to create and drive innovation in health and social care settings.

Microbiology and Biotechnology Research Group

Answering fundamental questions relating to the characterisation, evaluation, and testing of microorganisms and viruses.

Hands and Coffee cup

Psychological Health and Wellbeing Research Group

Specialising in developing and applying contemporary psychological science to address health-related challenges.

People in silhouette on a beach

Social Psychology Research Group

Conducting research on individuals’ emotions, thoughts, and behaviours in diverse social contexts.

Working in Partnership

A major focus of the University's research strategy lies in developing partnerships with a wide range of communities, organisations, and researchers in a bid to design and deliver projects that are beneficial to service users and which influence policy, practice, and procedures in health and social care services.

We work with key organisations such as the NHS, the National Institute for Health Research, the National Centre for Rural Health and Care, and many other local and national health and social care groups to help deliver impactful research that is making a positive impact across the generations.

A New Approach to Tackling Health Inequalities

The University of Lincoln has secured a £10.9 million grant from UK Research and Innovation to help tackle place-based inequalities in rural and coastal communities through an innovative approach to health and wellbeing research.

A coastline and beach

Our Postgraduate Researchers

Meet PhD student Georgia Clay, whose research at the University of Lincoln is examining the relationships between health, physical activity, service professionals, and older adult stroke survivors in the context of community stroke rehabilitation.

Georgia Clay

Meet Our Experts

Mark Gussy is Global Professor in Rural Health and Social Care and he is exploring the broader determinants of health to help transform current practices and ensure that marginalised communities have access to the support they need.

Meet Our Expert

Recent Developments

Discover more about the impactful research and innovative studies that are taking place at the University of Lincoln.

An ambulance speeding along a city road

University Partners in £4.5m Project to Enhance Healthcare

Lincoln researchers are playing a key role in a new £4.5million initiative aimed at transforming healthcare delivery in rural and coastal areas, as well as disadvantaged urban communities.

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Community Research Network Secures Nearly £1m

The East Marsh Community Research Network has secured close to a million pound in funding to tackle pressing social, economic, environmental, and health challenges in one of Grimsby’s most disadvantaged neighbourhoods.

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Outside a Co-op pharmacy

Creating a Lifeline for Community Mental Health

A new pharmacy-based community mental health service, which offers in-person aid to those experiencing suicidal thoughts and/or domestic abuse, has been successfully piloted in pharmacies across Lincolnshire.

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Related Courses

The University of Lincoln offers a range of programmes in health and social care, including undergraduate and postgraduate courses, continuing professional development, and flexible learning options. Discover more by using our course searches below.

Students nurses taking part in simulated scenarios

Undergraduate Courses

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Postgraduate Taught

Student working in the Joseph Banks Laboratories

Postgraduate Research

Health care professional attending to a patient.

Continuing Professional Development

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Flexible Learning