IBD CRG Strategy

Chaired by Professor Nick Powell and supported by Dr James Alexander, the IBD CRG is represented by elected research-interested gastroenterology, surgical, nursing and trainee members. Building on the foundations of a highly collaborative community of IBD interested professionals, the group’s vision is to facilitate research activities with the following objectives:

Objective 1: Collaboration. The CRG will operate an open-door policy, offering advice, support and guidance to researchers and clinicians of all professions across the wider UK IBD research community. Primarily through the IBD investigators meeting, the CRG will continue to provide a forum for clinicians, scientists and others to work closely to deliver innovative IBD research. Since 2026, the IBD investigators day has been organised in tandem with the IBD Clinical Day/Monothematic as part of the ‘IBD 360’ event, with the aim of better integrating research and clinical networks.

Objective 2: Agenda-setting. The IBD CRG works closely with Crohn’s and Colitis UK and other stakeholders to lead decision-making on research priorities in IBD. We are active participants in ongoing James Lind Alliance Priority setting partnership activities in IBD.

Objective 3: Widening access to IBD research. The IBD CRG puts increasing emphasis on the importance of trainee and non-medical involvement in IBD research, exemplified by BSG funded bursaries awarded to nurse researchers, research nurses/coordinators to support attendance at the annual investigators meeting.

Objective 4: Fostering links with other key stakeholders. These include Crohn’s and Colitis UK, Guts UK amongst others.

IBD Priority Setting Partnership Top 10

The James Lind Alliance (JLA) facilitates Priority Setting Partnerships (PSPs) to enable clinicians, patients and carers to work together to identify and prioritise evidence and uncertainties in particular areas of health and care that could be answered by research. 

The IBD PSP Top 10 was last published in 2015 and is currently being updated to produce the IBD JLA PSP (2025/2026). The steering group is being led by IBD CRG chair Professor Nick Powell.

Find out more.

Active UK IBD Studies

We aim to highlight IBD research projects to facilitate feedback, participation and dissemination of findings across the UK-wide research network. If you would like your IBD project to be featured, please complete the submission form below.

Nurses and other non-medical healthcare professionals

The IBD CRG actively encourages participation from research-active nurses and other non-medical healthcare professionals working across gastroenterology and IBD care. We aim to support colleagues who are developing research ideas, seeking collaborators, contributing to study delivery, or looking for opportunities to build research skills and networks.

Useful BSG signposts include the BSG Nursing Committee, which provides nursing education updates, professional development resources and BSG Nursing-approved training information, and Project 90 Nurses Education, which aims to strengthen accessible, multi-professional education and training for nurses and healthcare staff across gastroenterology settings.

Colleagues may also wish to explore wider BSG initiatives that support education, networking and career development, including Project 90 regional meetings and career support workstreams, BSG Mentoring Programme, BSG LIVE nursing sessions and bursary opportunities where available, and the BSG IBD Committee and IBD clinical resources. 

The Royal College of Nursing IBD Network, which is a subsection of the RCN Gastrointestinal Nursing Forum, RCN Gastro Nursing Forum, supports nurses working across gastrointestinal nursing, including IBD, and the RCN IBD Network provides a national voice and peer network for IBD nurses across the UK through their work the RCN framework for professional practice for nurses working in IBD sets out the four pillars of practice with research as one of them. RCN Framework For Professional Practice 

Crohn’s & Colitis UK also runs a Nursing Programme aimed at supporting the IBD nursing community to come together, share best practice and develop expertise at all levels. The programme brings together clinical IBD teams and the charity, including through community days and peer support for IBD nurses. Contact Crohn's & Colitis UK to make contact.

For nurses interested in developing or contributing to IBD research, the UK IBD Nurse Research Network offers opportunities to connect with research-active IBD nurses and collaborate on national service evaluation and research initiatives. Contact: Dr Pearl Avery, IBD CRG Elected Nurse Member.

The BSG Nurses Research Network also provides a route for nurses who want to develop research ideas, build collaborations and access wider BSG research support. Dr Shellie Radford, BSG Nursing Research Network Chair, and Deputy Chair of the BSG Research Committee. 

Get involved

We welcome collaboration with IBD interested researchers across both the UK and internationally. Contact [email protected].

Inflammatory Bowel Disease CRG Members