The Challenge
As horizon scanning continues to evolve, there is a growing need to develop the next generation of researchers with the skills to identify, assess and interpret emerging health innovations.
To help build this capability, the NIHR Innovation Observatory partnered with Health Data Research UK (HDR UK) to deliver an exclusive immersion experience for early career researchers, providing a unique insight into the science, technology and collaboration that underpin modern horizon scanning.
Our Approach
Held in Newcastle, the full-day immersion combined expert presentations, interactive workshops and networking to give participants a behind-the-scenes understanding of how horizon scanning supports decision-making across health and care.
Throughout the day, participants explored:
- The principles and practice of horizon scanning, from identifying early signals to translating evidence into actionable insights.
- How artificial intelligence and data science are transforming the identification and monitoring of emerging health technologies.
- The technical infrastructure and analytical approaches that enable horizon scanning at scale.
- Practical horizon scanning methods through interactive exercises and problem-solving activities.
- Career pathways in horizon scanning, health data science and health technology assessment.
The programme also provided the opportunity to engage directly with researchers, analysts, data scientists and partners from across academia, the NHS and industry. By bringing together expertise from organisations including HDR UK, Newcastle University, the NHS and CPI, participants gained a broader understanding of how collaboration drives innovation and prepares the health and care system for future change.
The Impact
The immersion visit gave early career researchers a unique opportunity to experience horizon scanning in practice, combining expert insight with hands-on learning and open discussion.
Participants developed a greater understanding of how emerging innovations are identified, assessed and translated into evidence that supports healthcare planning, while building valuable connections with experts working across horizon scanning, artificial intelligence, health technology assessment and innovation.
The programme also demonstrated the Innovation Observatory’s commitment to developing future capability by inspiring the next generation of researchers and showcasing the diverse careers that contribute to preparing health and care for what’s next.
“Participating in the HDR UK and NIHR Innovation Observatory Horizon Scanning Immersion Visit provided a valuable opportunity to gain first-hand insight into the work of the Innovation Observatory, the UK’s national horizon scanning centre for health and care innovations. The visit offered a clear overview of the methods underpinning horizon scanning, including evidence synthesis, systematic review, and the use of artificial intelligence, and demonstrated how these approaches are used to identify and monitor emerging innovations and translate them into insights that inform health and care policy.
The visit also provided an excellent opportunity to engage with members of the Innovation Observatory and network with fellow early career researchers. The interactive afternoon session, led by the Innovation Observatory’s technical team, was particularly valuable in offering practical insights into the process and potential challenges of conducting a horizon scanning exercise.
Overall, the visit was a well-structured introduction to horizon scanning and provided meaningful exposure to career pathways in health and life sciences innovation that I had not previously considered.”
Ralph Kwame Akyea, Fellow, HDR UK Big Data for Complex Disease Driver Programme & Senior Research Fellow, Centre for Academic Primary Care, University of Nottingham
Looking Ahead
The HDR UK immersion visit forms part of our wider commitment to developing skills and expertise in horizon scanning.
As our capacity building programme continues to grow, we will create further opportunities for students, researchers and professionals to engage with horizon scanning, explore emerging technologies and build the knowledge needed to anticipate future developments in health and care.
Key Outcomes
- Partnership with Health Data Research UK to deliver an exclusive immersion programme.
- Up to 30 early career researchers participated.
- Interactive learning on horizon scanning, artificial intelligence and technical infrastructure.
- Direct engagement with experts from the Innovation Observatory, HDR UK, Newcastle University, the NHS, CPI and the wider health innovation community.
- Increased awareness of career pathways in horizon scanning, health data science and health technology assessment.
