Clinicians often find it difficult to devote sufficient time to develop proposals that will investigate issues that enhance the patient experience. Thus, clinicians need to access researchers and academics who can assist in developing research proposals, undertake service evaluation, audit current practice, provide advice on best practice and offer education that maintains clinical knowledge and skills.

The University of Huddersfield recognised the challenges faced by clinicians in undertaking research in the specialist area of skin, and in 2011 formed the Skin Interface Sciences (SIS) Research Group. This article outlines its development and achievements to date.

Karen Ousey, Reader, PhD, RGN, School of Human and Health Sciences, Centre for Health and Social Care Research, University of Huddersfield, West Yorkshire. E-Mail: k.j.ousey@hud.ac.uk

Ross Atkinson, PhD, Spinal Research, Coordinator – Greater Manchester, Neurosciences Centre & Honorary Research Associate – The University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust, Salford

Leigh Fleming, PhD, Senior Research Fellow, School of Computing and Engineering, University of Huddersfield, West Yorkshire

Barbara Conway, PhD, Professor, School of Applied Sciences, University of Huddersfield, West Yorkshire

Skin Interface Sciences Research Group, University of Huddersfield: sisgroup@hud.ac.uk

Article accepted for publication: December 2012