Specialist wound research centre officially opened
A new centre aiming to minimise the psychological and physical impact of scarring among armed forces personnel and civilians wounded in terrorist attacks has been opened.
The Scar Free Foundation Centre for Conflict Wound Research, which will include work by UWE Bristol's Centre for Appearance Research (CAR) and other partners, was opened by Her Royal Highness The Countess of Wessex at Birmingham's Queen Elizabeth Hospital.
The new world-class centre is a ground-breaking national facility that marks a vital step in achieving the foundation's goal of achieving scar free healing within a generation. It has the potential to improve the lives of people in the UK who live with a physical scar which affects their wellbeing. Over 6,000 British armed forces personnel have sustained injuries in recent conflicts that are likely to have altered their appearance is some way. CAR's three-year project, funded by The Scar Free Foundation, will explore the psychosocial impact of these disfiguring injuries and develop bespoke psychosocial interventions to help veterans and their families adjust to living with scars.
Brendan Eley, Chief Executive of the Scar Free Foundation, said: “The physical and emotional effects of scarring are serious and often life changing. Our aim is to deliver scar free healing within a generation by establishing a pioneering programme of medical research in the UK. The launch of this centre is an important part of achieving our goal, and by working with world leading experts, scientists, and researchers, we are discovering revolutionary new treatments that will transform the lives of millions worldwide.”
Along with UWE Bristol, the centre has been established in partnership with the University of Birmingham, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust and The CASEVAC injured veterans club. Research undertaken at the centre will cost £4.8 million over three years. This is being funded by the Chancellor using LIBOR funds of £3 million alongside an additional £1.5 million from the foundation's partners.
Related news
17 November 2025
Urgent reform needed to support ambulance-delivered end of life care, study finds
More than three quarters (78 per cent) of paramedics sometimes fear doing the wrong thing when caring for people in the last year of life, new research has found.
13 November 2025
Bristol’s screen industry experiences “boom-and-bust cycle” after post-pandemic recovery, new research from UWE Bristol finds
New research from UWE Bristol provides detailed insight into Bristol's screen sector.
13 November 2025
New AI research to revolutionise animal welfare
A UWE Bristol research project will combine behavioural science and AI to create technology that understands not only what animals do, but how they feel.
10 November 2025
Lessons from Low Traffic Neighbourhoods will drive better public engagement, study finds
Lessons from Low Traffic Neighbourhoods have informed a new toolkit to improve engagement with the public on challenging local street issues.
06 November 2025
First-of-its-kind study aims to help more people spend their final days at home
A new study will explore how architectural design could support end-of-life care in domestic settings.
29 October 2025
UWE Bristol academic unveils breakthrough in energy-efficient AI at NATO science forum
Dr Jonathan Lancelot has developed a new form of AI that could transform how intelligent machines operate in space, defence, and remote environments.
15 October 2025
UK food needs radical transformation on scale not seen since Second World War, new report finds
A new report from the Agri-Food for Net Zero Network+ finds urgent action on food is needed if the UK is to reboot its flagging economy, save the NHS billions, ensure national food security, and meet climate commitments.
07 October 2025
Academic playing role in project to find hidden graves in Mexico using drone technology
A UWE Bristol lecturer is playing a part in a project using drone technology to locate concealed graves in Mexico.
01 October 2025
New funding for researchers to develop trustworthy clinical AI for assessing brain activity
Researchers have received funding from UK Research and Innovation to help bring their innovative brain-monitoring AI technology closer to real-world use.
29 September 2025
Smartphone use hitting struggling pupils hardest, major study finds
Young people struggling with their studies at school are much more likely to have negative experiences on their smartphones than their better performing peers, a major new study has found.
16 September 2025
Dedicated liaison roles ‘instrumental’ for police forces to build trust with sex workers, research finds
A new study from UWE Bristol researchers has found that a dedicated liaison officer could help rebuild trust between the police and sex workers.
11 September 2025
New study to investigate augmented reality as an intervention for emotionally based school avoidance
A UWE Bristol researcher will support a new study exploring whether an augmented reality board game can help young people with emotionally based school avoidance (EBSA).