The annual research showcase is the highlight of the year for the Keele Centre for Musculoskeletal Health Research. This year’s showcase was held on the 13 February 2025, and had over 60 attendees, both in-person and online, including researchers and clinicians from a broad range of professional backgrounds and disciplines, and academics representing the full spectrum of career stages, from PGR candidates through to seasoned professors. The day kicked off with a welcome from Centre Director, Prof Kate Dunn, which included congratulations paid to Prof Elaine Hay on her recent award of an MBE in recognition of her outstanding contribution to medical research.

The showcase comprised a diverse array of high-quality presentations from applied health and laboratory-based research, across several areas of the MSK field, including different populations and utilising varied methodologies and approaches. This included, among many others, co-production approaches to develop self-management resources for primary care patients with osteoarthritis flares; use of nanopore sequencing to diagnose prosthetic joint infections; and qualitative research exploring the care needs of children and young people experiencing MSK pain.

Highlights of the showcase included our two plenary speakers; Professor Gwen Wynne-Jones, discussing the Regional Research Delivery Networks; and Dr Baidaa Al-Bander, who gave an introduction to the Digital Society Institute (DSI) and the potential of AI in MSK research.

Throughout the day presentations sparked lots of discussion, debate and audience questions. Particular emphasis was placed on networking, with early career researchers given opportunities to discuss their research ideas and ‘pick the brains’ of senior researchers and Centre board members. Kate closed the showcase with a summary of the day, thanking the presenters for their fantastic contributions.

We’d like to wish everyone another successful year of MSK health research at Keele, and look forward to next year’s showcase!