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Setting out a new vision to strengthen public health research in Wales  

Published on: 15 Jul 2026

A new vision has been published to help build a stronger public health research system in Wales. It aims to improve population health, reduce health inequalities and generate the evidence needed to inform policy, support innovation and contribute to economic growth. 

Developed by Public Health Wales with partners from across Wales’s public health research community, Shaping the Future of Academic Public Health Research in Wales sets out a shared ambition to create a stronger, more connected and sustainable research system with a clearer national voice. 

The vision builds on the findings of the 2025 Optimising Academic Public Health Research in Wales report. That report recognised Wales’s strengths but also highlighted challenges including declining research funding, workforce pressures, fragmented activity and limited national visibility. 

The new vision recognises that Wales already has significant strengths. These include world leading linked population data, close working relationships between researchers, policy makers and practitioners, and a strong research community across universities, the NHS, public services and the third sector. 

It also highlights an opportunity for Wales to strengthen its reputation as a place where high quality, policy relevant public health research can attract investment and deliver real benefits for people and communities. 

The report identifies several challenges that need to be addressed. These include declining funding, pressure on the research workforce, fragmented activity, limited national visibility and the lack of a coordinated national approach. Although these issues are not unique to Wales, the report concludes that coordinated action is needed to protect and strengthen academic public health research and focus research where it can have the greatest impact. 

The vision sets out five strategic aims: 

  • Strengthen research infrastructure to support high quality research and maximise impact. 
  • Develop research skills, technical expertise and career opportunities to build a resilient workforce. 
  • Create a stronger national identity and a shared voice for academic public health research in Wales. 
  • Encourage open, collaborative research that is developed with partners and communities. 
  • Focus research on the public health challenges where it can deliver the greatest benefit. 

The vision sets out how a more coordinated national approach could bring organisations together around shared priorities, strengthen Wales’s ability to secure UK and international research funding, support future research careers, and make it easier for researchers, policy makers, practitioners and communities to work together.  

Iain Bell, Director of Research, Data and Digital at Public Health Wales, said: 

“This vision is an important opportunity to turn Wales’s academic public health research strengths into a more coordinated national asset. By bringing together our data and digital capability, research expertise, public health intelligence and partnerships, we can build a stronger, more connected system that generates the evidence needed to inform policy, improve health, reduce inequalities and support better decision-making. 

“Academic public health research has a vital role in helping Wales anticipate and respond to the complex health challenges facing our population. This report sets out a clear case for shared leadership, sustained collaboration and practical coordination so that research in Wales is more visible, more competitive for funding, and focused on delivering measurable benefits for people and communities across Wales.” 

Professor Isabel Oliver, Chief Medical Officer for Wales, said: 

“Academic public health research is essential to understanding and addressing the complex health challenges facing our communities. It provides the evidence needed to inform policy, improve services and reduce health inequalities. 

“Wales has many advantages that make it an attractive environment for research, including strong academic institutions, close collaboration across sectors and a clear focus on improving outcomes for people and communities. 

“This vision demonstrates what could be achieved through a coordinated national approach. Continued collaboration across government, academia, the NHS, funders and the wider research community will be key to creating the conditions that enable Academic Public Health Research to thrive in Wales.” 

The vision has been developed through extensive engagement with universities, NHS organisations, Welsh Government, research funders and the wider public health community. It sets out a long-term direction for strengthening academic public health research in Wales through collaboration, shared leadership and coordinated action. 

The report is intended to support discussion across the sector and help shape future investment and partnership working, ensuring that Wales remains well placed to respond to current and future public health challenges.