The CRRC has a thriving research programme that includes internal and external projects that are adding to the evidence base for reproductive and sexual healthcare.
Applications to conduct research and engage in collaborative partnerships are welcomed by BPAS.
Research projects at BPAS are monitored by BPAS Research Approval Group (RAG).
The role of the RAG is to examine all proposals for research involving patients or materials derived from patients, which are to be carried out within BPAS units or with BPAS staff and to complete research monitoring for ongoing projects.
For more information, click on the links below:
View our ongoing research projects below
This study holds potential to benefit both rural and remote residents worldwide who may wish to seek first trimester medical abortion and will provide clinical guideline committees and health care providers providing care to rural and remote residents with high quality evidence on best practices for safe first trimester medication abortion care.
Work Package 1 is a scoping review of literature pertaining to accessibility and equity of abortion services in England and Wales. Work Package 2 Using national abortion data for England and Wales, will conduct an Interrupted Time Series Analysis to see whether telemedicine has reduced the average gestational age at abortion, and how this varies by socioeconomic characteristics. Alongside this, assessment of whether groups who have historically accessed abortion later are still doing so, or whether the introduction of telemedicine is linked to any change in the timing of their abortions will take place. This will allow identification of groups of patients who are underserved by abortion services. Work Package 3 comprises qualitative research with abortion patients to identify the needs of individuals and communities who have difficulties accessing abortion care in general and/or who are underserved by telemedical abortion.
One of BPAS’ collaborative partnerships is with HDBR. HDBR stands for is the Human Developmental Biology Resource. The HDBR is a tissue bank; this means that biological samples are collected and stored with the donor’s written permission so that they can be used by researchers who need the material for their studies. The HDBR banks human embryonic and fetal tissues and we have been collecting these tissues since 1999. During this time, tissue provided by the HDBR has helped support numerous important research projects in many different countries.
This research project aims to examine the feasibility of integrating an AI chatbot into the BPAS care pathway to improve service delivery and patient care. To achieve this, we will work with OU researchers to: Explore patient acceptability of introducing an AI chatbot into BPAS' care pathway, Identify the impact of introducing an AI chatbot into our service on staff capacity, organisational risks, and integration challenges, conduct a user-mapping exercise to understand at which points along the care pathway an AI chatbot could enhance.
Research findings and related updates are due to be published soon.
Research findings and related updates are due to be published soon.
In addition to these research projects we undertake several internal service evaluations per year, which are sometimes published and shared externally. If you’re interested in discussing these please get in touch: research@bpas.org
Collaborate with us
If you are a student or a researcher with a project you would like to undertake and looking for a host organisation, do get in touch.
We have previously accepted students and fellows from Imperial College London, Kent University, Sussex University, Princeton University, Harvard Law School and Yale Law School.
Awards, grants and prizes
The Heather Trickey Essay Prize
This prize encourages work reflecting the contribution and commitment of Dr Heather Trickey to finding common ground in the field of women’s reproductive health and women’s rights.
By bringing together those of differing perspectives, we’ll develop innovative, practical policy solutions to difficult problems.
Peter Huntingford Memorial Prize
BPAS has endowed the Peter Huntingford Memorial Prize to mark the late Professor Peter Huntingford’s contribution to obstetrics and gynaecology.
