Overview

About us

The School of Healthcare Enterprise and Innovation was formerly known as the Wessex Institute. Our experts use research findings to create practical solutions for healthcare systems and services worldwide. Supporting knowledge exchange from academia to the real-world and fostering business connections are at the heart of everything we do.

We work closely with organisations including the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) who fund and deliver world-leading health and social care research. Our NIHR partnership is the largest enterprise contract at the University. We also collaborate with groups across healthcare — from researchers and policymakers to industry and the public. 

Partnerships

We work with the following healthcare organisations to generate social change and unlock economic benefits.

Southampton Clinical Trials Unit

Southampton Clinical Trials Unit is a UK Clinical Research Collaboration registered clinical trials unit with expertise in the design, conduct and analysis of multi-centre interventional clinical trials. It works with investigators to deliver high quality trials that directly influence routine clinical practice.

NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre

NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre takes new discoveries, treatments and technologies into the clinic, using unique tools, facilities and world-changing expertise across 5 key research areas.

Wessex Health Partners

Wessex Health Partners speed up improvements in health and care through research, innovation and training, for the benefit of patients and society.

Research Support Service Hub

The Research Support Service Hub provides support in many methodological areas and contexts for applied health and care research, including public health research.

NIHR RSS Specialist Centre for Public Health

The NIHR RSS Specialist Centre for Public Health supports the generation of high quality research evidence to help decide which interventions are likeliest to improve population health and reduce health inequalities.

Southampton Emerging Therapies and Technologies (SETT) Centre 

The Southampton Emerging Therapies and Technologies (SETT) Centre assembles research and innovation focused on NHS needs in emerging areas, with huge potential for clinical service development.

Health Innovation Wessex

Health Innovation Wessex aims to improve people’s health, achieve excellence in healthcare, and boost innovation and growth in our region’s life sciences and healthcare sector.

Equality, diversity and inclusion

Our aim is to ensure that each individual is welcomed, supported and valued within our school.

We want to make our working environment inclusive irrespective of an individual’s gender, race, nationality, sexual orientation or disability. Our work on equality, diversity and inclusion is supported in the University and the NIHR through a strong governance structure. This aims to create a culture where everyone can thrive, belong and be themselves at work.

Our school is part of the Faculty of Medicine which holds an Athena SWAN Bronze award. This award recognises our commitment to tackling gender inequality.

The Athena SWAN (Scientific Women's Academic Network) Charter is a global framework which is used to promote inclusive working practices and transform gender equality within higher education and research.

This short film shows how we're using mental health charity Mind's workplace wellbeing index to support our staff.

Mind's Top Medium Employer Award, 2022 to 2023

In this 3 minute YouTube video from Mind, our staff share what they've been doing to remove the stigma around mental health.

Our knowledge exchange and enterprise units

Our school is home to research-focused businesses tackling major issues in healthcare. We also offer professional development courses and run a purpose-built teaching lab to improve health outcomes for young people.

Our research community

We work closely with a range of research groups, centres and institutes across the University to share knowledge and solve problems.

People

Through meaningful stakeholder collaboration, cutting-edge technology, and a deep understanding of global healthcare needs, we bridge the gap between research and practical application.
Head of School
We are proud to be an NIHR Centre within the University of Southampton, making a real difference to the health and care of patients and the public, both in the UK and internationally.
Deputy Head of School and Chief Executive Officer of NIHR Evaluation, Trials and Studies Coordinating Centre
We work with researchers, healthcare organisations and medical technology companies to ensure that innovations are founded on evidence and provide value for patients and the public.
Director of SHTAC

Work with us

  • Colleagues from Hatch consultancy discussing ideas, using post it notes on a whiteboard

    Jobs at Southampton

    Find out about current opportunities at the University of Southampton, including vacancies in our school.

Contact us

Talk to us, we're happy to help.

School of Healthcare Enterprise and Innovation, Alpha House, University of Southampton Science Park, Chilworth, Southampton  SO16 7NP
We're open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, UK time.

Useful links