Collaborate with the QUAHRC
The QUAHRC at King’s College London brings together a core team of experienced qualitative researchers specialising in the design and delivery of high-quality qualitative health research.
We work in partnership with academic, clinical, and community teams to strengthen the qualitative design, rigour, and impact of studies across a wide range of disciplines. Our input ensures that data collection and analysis are methodologically sound, ethically grounded, and publishable in high-impact journals.
Engaging with us early in the process, ideally at the concept or pre-submission stage, helps ensure qualitative methods are fully embedded and appropriately resourced within your research programme.
We offer three levels of qualitative collaboration to suit different study designs and funding scales. The right level depends on the complexity of your research, the type of data being collected, and your methodological approach.
Our Areas of Expertise
Our researchers have extensive experience across a diverse range of health and social research topics, including: cancer, culture and ethnicity, dementia, depression & anxiety, eating disorders, gender-based violence, mental health nursing, migrant communities, neurological disorders, older adults’ mental health, online interventions, peer support, psychosocial interventions, policy research, psychosis and schizophrenia, recovery, trauma.
How to Get Started
Partnering with us is simple. To request qualitative input for your study:
- Download and complete the support request form (download here).
- Email the form to quahrc@kcl.ac.uk well in advance of your grant submission deadline (we recommend at least six weeks).
- We will review your request and contact you to discuss scope, timelines, and the most appropriate level of collaboration.
- Together, we will agree the costing and contribution plan for inclusion in your grant application.
Levels of Collaboration
1.
Standard Collaboration (Core partnership)
When to choose:
For standard qualitative studies involving approximately 30 interviews or 6–8 focus groups, using thematic or Framework analysis.
Typical activities include:
- Intervention design/ development
- Feasibility & piloting
- End of trial evaluation
- Service evaluation
- Exploratory experiential study
- Meta-ethnography, meta-synthesis, systematic review of qualitative studies
Recommended duration: ~12 months
Resources required:
- 10% Qualitative Lead (Professor / Reader /Senior Lecturer / Lecturer) to be costed into the grant application
- 100% Qualitative Research Assistant / Associate to be costed into the grant application (approximately 12 months)
2.
Enhanced Collaboration (Advanced Partnership)
When to choose:
For complex, multi-method or longitudinal studies requiring data collection at multiple time points and advanced analytical approaches.
Typical activities include:
- Process evaluation
- Realist evaluation
- Ethnography
- Action research
- Longitudinal qualitative study
Recommended duration: 24–36 months
Resources required:
- 10% Qualitative Lead (Professor / Reader /Senior Lecturer / Lecturer to be costed into the grant application
- 100% Qualitative Research Assistant / Associate to be costed into the grant application (approximately 24 -36 months)
3.
Targeted Support (Advisory Input or Short-Term Collaboration)
We can also provide short-term or advisory input for specific research activities, such as:
Fellowship applications
Completion of ethics applications
PPI (Public & Patient Involvement) advice and organisation
Resources required:
- 10% Qualitative Lead (Professor / Reader /Senior Lecturer / Lecturer to be costed into the grant application
- 100% Qualitative Research Assistant / Associate to be costed for an additional 1 month per task.