The TSA is a proud member of the Association of Medical Research Charities (AMRC), a membership organisation dedicated to supporting medical research charities in their efforts to save and improve lives through research and innovation. In recognition of our great work, the AMRC invited us to present and share how the TSA implements the AMRC’s principles of peer review, serving as a case study of good practice.
This presentation was part of a training workshop, aimed at research managers new to their roles or individuals who have been given new responsibilities and would like to learn more about research management and managing grants. Pooja’s presentation delved into the specifics of our peer review process, including how we select and engage expert reviewers, ensure transparency and impartiality in decision-making, and maintain rigorous standards despite our smaller size. Attendees learned practical strategies and methodologies that they could apply within their own organisations to enhance the quality and impact of their research funding.
Pooja Takhar was then invited to present at another AMRC event, the ‘Small but Mighty’ workshop. This event was specifically designed for smaller member charities to come together to explore learning and best practices and to discuss the shared challenges that charities like the TSA face as smaller funders while keeping the research agenda at the forefront. During this workshop, Pooja highlighted how the TSA, despite its limited resources, has managed to foster significant advancements in TSC research. She discussed the innovative approaches we use to maximise our impact, such as strategic partnerships, leveraging volunteer experts, and focusing on high-impact, niche research areas that might be overlooked by larger funders.
The invitations from the AMRC demonstrate the strength of the TSA’s guidelines and regulations in research, which ultimately ensures that the research we fund is of the highest quality and has the greatest impact on improving lives in the TSC community. By sharing our experiences and methodologies at these events, we not only contribute to the broader medical research community but also reinforce our commitment to excellence and continuous improvement. These opportunities allow us to showcase our successes, learn from our peers, and stay at the cutting edge of research governance.
Every five years, the AMRC carries out an audit to ensure that every member organisation is keeping pace with best practices in research governance. We passed their most recent expert review audit, confirming that our research funding processes are of the highest quality. We were particularly acknowledged for implementing the key principles of expert review, which is a significant achievement for a small charity like ours.
Presenting at such prestigious events provides significant benefits to the TSA. It enhances our visibility within the medical research community, strengthens our reputation as a leader in research governance, and opens up opportunities for collaboration and support from other organisations. By demonstrating our commitment to best practices and innovation in research funding, we attract potential partners and funders who are looking to invest in high-quality, impactful research. These presentations also reinforce the value of our work to the researchers themselves, ensuring continued trust and support.
Being asked by the AMRC to actively participate in workshops underlines our successes in research, despite being a smaller charity, in maintaining the highest standards in research funding and governance. It allows us to share our successes, learn from others, and continue to drive forward impactful research that improves lives within the TSC community.
