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Interdisciplinary Precision Oncology Cardiff Hub

About us

IPOCH unites the Schools of Engineering, Computer Science and Informatics, and Medicine in our commitment to training future leaders in biomedical research.

We focus on the development of the next generation of biomedical researchers. Postgraduate research (PGR) students have access to the combined research strengths, training expertise, and resources of the three research-intensive schools. Opportunities are provided for participation in interdisciplinarity and ‘team science’. PhD projects are supported by each of the Schools and EPSRC (Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council) and are co-supervised by each of the partner Schools, which facilitates student involvement in existing and emerging research partnerships.

IPOCH aligns with the following EPSRC themes:

  • Healthcare technologies, to accelerate the translational or research to healthcare applications (Healthcare Technologies Grand Challenges and Cross-cutting research capabilities).
  • Information and communication technologies (ICT) and mathematical sciences, to support the health of the discipline and to provide skills and knowledge for future needs.
  • Digital Economy, to support the transformational impact of digital applications and interconnected digital ecosystems in healthcare.

We acknowledge the principles of Responsible Research and Innovation and our role in promoting them. IPOCH uses resources developed for Postgraduate students by ORBIT, including Self-Assessment tools, to determine our current level of alignment.

Responsible innovation in healthcare research involves specific challenges. Our partners are engaged in expanding an existing Trusted Research Environment (TRE). The Wales TRE ecosystem allows our students to work in a secure, governed data integration environment and provides exposure to data governance and security best practice, which is a requirement for modern clinical research.

A Patient Public Interaction group will be established to ensure community guidance.

The Hub employs an open science approach to make scientific research and dissemination accessible across different levels (science, industry, and society). We use the UKRI’s open access policy for research publications, developed through collaborative networks, as a reference. We also follow international models such as those used at The Cancer Imaging Archive (TCIA).

IPOCH is committed to ED&I, building on best practices within partner Schools. Our aim is to establish an inclusive culture that ensures equal opportunities for all, irrespective of age, ethnicity, disability, family structure, gender, nationality, sexual orientation, race, religious or other beliefs, and socioeconomic background. Our implementation is informed by the Strategic Equality Plan of Cardiff University.

IPOCH links with each School ED&I Committee, each with Athena Swann Bronze Award.

ED&I is integrated into our activities, including practical measures such as:

  • mandatory ED&I training for all IPOCH participants
  • promotion of flexible study options for all projects. IPOCH supports students through schemes like the disabled student allowance, maternity/paternity pay, student support services, pastoral care, and peer support groups.

We expect proportional representation throughout the student lifecycle, from applicants, interviewees, and students. Quantitative and qualitative data is used to measure progress towards embedding EDI, including benchmarking IDTH students against other non-IDTH students and the Section as a whole (e.g., using Heidi HESA data).

IPOCH receives mentorship from international leaders in ED&I and research mentorship.