Centre for Applied Respiratory Research Innovation and Impact (CARRii)

The Centre for Applied Respiratory Research, Innovation, and Impact is dedicated to transforming respiratory healthcare across the UK. Through cutting-edge innovation, pioneering clinical research and real-world implementation, we drive meaningful change where it matters most.

Respiratory diseases and infections like asthma and COPD are among the leading causes of hospital admissions and health inequalities, yet they remain too often overlooked and under-prioritised. It’s time for a new approach. One that tackles the NHS’s most pressing challenges, from reducing unscheduled care demands and easing winter pressures to addressing entrenched respiratory health inequalities.

By uniting researchers, clinicians, industry leaders, and patient voices, we are committed to delivering tangible, scalable impact that improves lives, strengthens healthcare systems, and ensures that breakthroughs reach those who need them most - not just in theory, but in practice.

CARRii is not a traditional centre. It’s a dynamic collaboration.
We are a UK-wide collective of experts spanning academic research, frontline medicine, data science, public health, industry innovation, and patient advocacy. By bringing together voices from every corner of the respiratory landscape, we are building a new model for impact: one where discovery and delivery go hand-in-hand.

Clinical expertise meets cutting-edge research.

Industry innovation meets frontline needs.

Data-driven insights meet real-world impact.

We base our approach on cutting-edge research and innovation, focusing on three key themes that are critical to transforming respiratory outcomes across the UK:

• Reducing Risk and Infections
  
• Connected Care
  
• Optimising Clinical Care
  

Each theme is supported by a dedicated team of experts, bringing together researchers, clinicians, data scientists, policymakers, and patient advocates to ensure that every breakthrough moves beyond theory into real-world impact.

Alongside our core themes, CARRii is built on four specialist platforms that provide essential foundations for our work:

• Postgraduate Training Platform
  
• Patient and Public Involvement Platform
  
• Methodology Platform
  
• Data Platform 
  

Each platform is led by a team committed to strengthening research capacity, championing patient voices, and ensuring that our methods and data infrastructure set the standard for excellence in respiratory research.

CARRii is proud to collaborate with a diverse range of partners, including leading academic institutions, industry innovators, NHS organisations, and patient groups. Together, we are reimagining the future of respiratory healthcare: driving meaningful change, improving lives, and building a healthier, more equitable future for all.

Click through to explore each theme and meet the teams behind our work.

• We connect leading researchers, clinicians, technologists, policymakers, and industry leaders to co-design solutions from the outset.
• We embed implementation into everything we do - ensuring our work leads to scalable trials, smarter policies, and better patient outcomes.
• We champion patient and public involvement at every stage, ensuring lived experience drives innovation.
• We translate evidence into action, influencing health systems, government policy, and global best practice.

Why Now?

The COVID-19 pandemic showed what’s possible when science, healthcare, and industry work together at speed and scale. We cannot afford to lose that momentum. Respiratory disease remains one of the greatest, most preventable burdens on the NHS and CARRii is leading the charge to change that.

Be part of the change.
We’re building a future where respiratory diseases are better prevented, treated and understood - improving lives today and for generations to come.

Why Join Us?

At CARRii, we believe innovation thrives through collaboration. Here’s how you can get involved and help make a real difference:

• Collaborate on pioneering projects that tackle real-world respiratory health challenges.
• Drive advancements in research and technology that improve lives and health outcomes.
• Access funding opportunities through grant applications and strategic partnerships that support impactful work.
• Expand your reach by connecting with diverse stakeholders across multiple sectors to amplify your impact.

Whether you're an academic, a healthcare professional, or someone passionate about innovation, there’s a way for you to contribute to meaningful change.  Join our growing network to shape a healthier future - together.

Ready to make an impact? Reach out to us today and explore how we can unite our efforts, break down barriers, and transform respiratory health together.

At the heart of CARRii’s work is the active involvement of those who experience respiratory conditions. We are building one of the largest Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) networks in the UK, and we invite you to be a part of it. By collaborating directly with patients and the public, we ensure that lived experiences, insights, and perspectives shape the future of healthcare. Your involvement will help us push the boundaries of PPIE to drive real-world change.

Industry Connections

Industry collaboration is vital to driving respiratory health innovation. We’re inviting industry leaders, innovators, and stakeholders from across various sectors—healthcare and beyond—to partner with us in shaping the future of respiratory care. Together, we can work to reduce the burden of respiratory diseases and deliver meaningful solutions that impact lives on a global scale.