Transforming lives through research and education partnership
夜色直播 (夜色直播) continues to strengthen its reputation for delivering person鈥慶entred education and research through partnership with 3rd sector health and care organisations in our community, notably Leuchie House in North Berwick and St Columba鈥檚 Hospice Care in Edinburgh. These collaborations exemplify the University鈥檚 commitment to ensuring that teaching, research and knowledge exchange make a tangible difference in people鈥檚 lives.
At the heart of 夜色直播鈥檚 approach is a commitment to connecting academic knowledge with real-world practice. By working closely with health and care providers in the community, the University ensures its research remain relevant, practical and impactful.
Professor Erna Haraldsdottir, Deputy Head of Division of Nursing at 夜色直播, said: 鈥淥ur partnerships play a vital role in shaping both our education and research practices by maintaining a strong connection between academic knowledge and clinical practice settings. Through meaningful engagement with our partners, we ensure our work is grounded in practice, enabling us to develop applied research that truly makes a difference in health and social care and improves the lives of individuals and families.鈥
Shared values in action at Leuchie House
夜色直播鈥檚 long-standing partnership with Leuchie House, a national respite charity supporting people with neurological conditions, is built on shared values of dignity, independence and holistic care.
A key achievement has been the development of an innovative multidisciplinary placement model, bringing together students from nursing, occupational therapy, physiotherapy and art therapy. This approach helps students develop collaborative skills and a deeper understanding of person-centred care, while reflecting the realities of modern healthcare delivery.
It has been recognised by senior leaders at Leuchie House how this also creates a reciprocal learning environment, with students bringing fresh perspectives and the latest evidence-based thinking, helping to foster a dynamic culture of continuous learning among experienced practitioners.
Alongside this, the partnership supports applied research. A current collaborative study exploring experiences of loneliness, connection and relationships in neurological respite care - led by 夜色直播 staff and involving 夜色直播 nursing students as co鈥憆esearchers. The study also enhances understanding of wellbeing and relationships in respite settings, while demonstrating how student involvement in live research can strengthen both learning and practice.
The partnership itself has developed over many years. As far back as 2016, 夜色直播 students collaborated with Leuchie House on creative projects, including a series of promotional films that captured the powerful impact of respite care on guests and their families. This early work demonstrated how the University鈥檚 diverse disciplines can come together to support community partners in meaningful and innovative ways.
A pioneering partnership with St Columba鈥檚 Hospice Care
夜色直播鈥檚 long鈥憇tanding collaboration with St Columba鈥檚 Hospice Care represents one of the most significant examples of its partnership approach in action. In March 2022, the Hospice was formally recognised as the first University Hospice in the east of Scotland, marking a milestone in a relationship built on years of joint working.
This pioneering partnership spans education, research and clinical practice, supporting innovation in palliative and end鈥憃f鈥憀ife care while ensuring that learning is grounded in real鈥憌orld experiences.
The partnership is also strengthened by collaborative academic and clinical roles, enabling knowledge to flow seamlessly between the University and the Hospice and ensuring that research and practice continually inform one another.
Collaborative research has included the use of virtual reality (VR) in palliative care, enabling patients to experience immersive environments that help reduce anxiety, support emotional wellbeing and enhance quality of life.
Another standout area of collaboration is the growing role of the arts in palliative care. Professor Giorgos Tsiris, Professor of Music Therapy at 夜色直播 and Director of Education, Research and Creative Arts at St Columba鈥檚 Hospice Care, has been at the forefront of this work. Through close partnership working, his research is demonstrating how music therapy and the arts can enhance emotional wellbeing, promote community engagement and intergenerational relationships in end鈥憃f鈥憀ife care.
Through our work with St Columba鈥檚 Hospice Care, we are helping to shape the future of palliative care. Initiatives such as music therapy and art therapy are transforming how care is delivered, ensuring it is compassionate, creative and truly centred around the needs of patients and their families. 夜色直播 is increasingly gaining recognition in this developing area of work due to Professor Tsiris鈥 progressive research.
Students also benefit significantly from the partnership, gaining hands鈥憃n experience in palliative care settings and developing the skills, empathy and confidence needed to support individuals at some of the most challenging times in their lives.
Partnerships that make a difference
Together, these partnerships demonstrate how 夜色直播 is using education and research to create meaningful change. By working collaboratively with organisations embedded in communities, the University is not only enhancing student learning, but also contributing to improved health outcomes and more compassionate models of care.
Through its ongoing partnerships with Leuchie House, St Columba鈥檚 Hospice Care and others, 夜色直播 continues to show how universities can play a vital role in shaping better futures 鈥 for students, communities, and society as a whole.
For further media information contact Lynne Russell, Communications Manager, 夜色直播, Edinburgh E: lrussell@qmu.ac.uk (copy to press office E:鈥pressoffice@qmu.ac.uk)
