We are looking for new Research Champions

Becoming a Crohn’s & Colitis UK Research Champion is one of the most rewarding ways to contribute towards the development of research into Crohn’s and Colitis.  

Research Champions are people living with Crohn’s or Colitis who volunteer their time to support research projects. They share experiences and represent people affected by Crohn’s and Colitis in our partnerships with researchers across the UK.  

The role involves being part of a steering group for a research project and acting as the main link between the project and the Crohn’s & Colitis UK Research Team. You’ll have the opportunity to raise awareness of important studies and encourage more people living with Crohn’s and Colitis to get involved. The time commitment is very flexible, but on average this could be a maximum of six hours a month.  

Louise Hunt is the Research Champion for PROFILE. She says: “I became a Research Champion because I want to highlight the great and important work being done in the field of Crohn’s and Colitis research. This research is driving care, education and knowledge forward, and that’s always a good thing.” 

Lizzie Smith is our Research Champion for Gut Reaction. “I’m a patient representative and my role is to provide feedback on research processes to ensure that researchers and doctors receive input from a patient voice to help drive the work of Gut Reaction,” she explains. “This also ensures that patients are involved in the research process in a fair and equal process.” 

For more than 30 years, our charity has been leading the drive to increase knowledge of the causes of the conditions and the best treatments for them. Our vital research grants drive pioneering work to discover better ways of managing the conditions and, one day, a cure.  

We believe that high-quality research into Crohn’s and Colitis can only happen with the involvement of people affected by the conditions. As a Research Champion, you have the opportunity to represent our community in exciting new research projects and have a very real effect on improving lives for people living with Crohn’s and Colitis.  

“I am extremely passionate about research and how this can impact positively on patient care,” says Lizzie Smith. “As a Research Champion I hope to increase patient and public awareness of Crohn’s & Colitis UK and encourage more patients to get involved in research.”