About Us
About Us
Who we are
The Bath Institute for Rheumatic Diseases (BIRD) exists to support arthritis research, education and patient engagement so that we can improve treatment for patients with rheumatic diseases.
Bath has always been at the forefront of bone and joint disease research, education and patient care, as part of its history as a city with thermal waters since at least Roman times, and with one of the first national specialist hospitals in the country founded in 1738. BIRD was formed in 1975 by the Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases (known affectionately as ‘the Min’ and now part of the Royal United Hospital, Bath) and the University of Bath. Although we became an independent charity in 1981, we collaborate closely with both organisations, because bringing clinicians and scientists together is at the heart of what we do.
What we do
Our work falls into four main areas. We make ‘pump priming’ grants to support research in the field of bone and joint diseases and fund the training of PhD students, clinical research fellows and post-doctoral research assistants. We provide free educational and professional development opportunities, such as conferences and courses on the impact of bone and joint diseases for healthcare professionals.
We run a programme of Patient and Public Engagement which supports patients, their families and carers with the latest information in their diseases areas and involves them in research. Lastly, we raise awareness of the impact of arthritis and funds for our work as a charity.
Meet the team
Professor Bernie Morley
Council Member and Chair of the Research Committee
Strategic change consultant and mentor/coach. Former Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Provost at the University of Bath. Chair of the Institute of Coding. Previously chair of ARUK’s research committee, a geneticist and Lupus researcher for over 20 years.
Chris Johns
Chair of Council of Management
Chris has a background as a leader in health, social care, regulation and academia. Previously on the board of the Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases.
Dr Amanda MacKenzie
Vice-Chair of Council of Management
Senior Lecturer, Department of Pharmacy & Pharmacology, Founding Director of the Centre for Therapeutic Innovation
Stephanie Lear
Council Member, Chair of Public Engagement committee
Head of Individual Philanthropy at University of Bath and previous rheumatology patient
Professor Neil McHugh
Council Member, Research committee member
Professor, Department of Pharmacy & Pharmacology; EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Statistical Applied Mathematics (SAMBa) and Centre for Therapeutic Innovation
Dr John Pauling
Council Member, Research committee member
Consultant Rheumatologist at the Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases and Senior Lecturer in the Department of Pharmacy & Pharmacology
Dr Raj Sengupta
Council Member, Research committee member
Lead Consultant for Ankylosing Spondylitis at RNHRD, Clinical Governance Lead Chief Clinical Information Officer at RNHRD; Trustee of National Ankylosing Spondylitis Society (NASS)
Jim Sherwin
Council Member, Chair of Finance committee
Financial advisor and investment specialist
Dr Will Tillett
Council Member
Consultant Rheumatologist RNHRD. Senior Lecturer, Department of Pharmacy & Pharmacology.
Executive Office
A team of contractors and seconded staff manage our work programmes, fundraising and administration.
Governance and reporting
Governance
BIRD is governed by a Council of Management which oversees the work of three committees, Finance, Research and Patient Engagement supported by the executive office. A guide to our organisational structure is available to download here
Help support BIRD by making a contribution
Our work is built on the kind donations and bequests of previous generations. If you like what we do and would like to help, please consider giving us a donation, or a gift in memory of someone dear to you, inscribed on our benefactors’ board, or even a legacy. £100 covers our monthly IT costs. £500 covers all the costs of a patient information leaflet. £2000 would pay for a Summer Studentship for a scientific researcher. £10,000 would fund a small-scale pilot research project. Text BIRD to 70460 to donate £5. (This costs £5 plus a standard rate message).
Support Us
Our work is built on the kind donations and bequests of previous generations. If you like what we do and would like to help, please consider giving us a donation, or a gift in memory of someone dear to you, inscribed on our benefactors’ board, or even a legacy. £100 covers our monthly IT costs. £500 covers all the costs of a patient information leaflet. £2000 would pay for a Summer Studentship for a scientific researcher. £10,000 would fund a small-scale pilot research project. Text BIRD to 70460 to donate £5. (This costs £5 plus a standard rate message).