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The Research and Campaigns Networks
The MS Society Research Network (RN) was launched in 2002. The network has now joined with the new and soon to launch Campaigns network and are called the Research and Campaigns Networks (RCN). They currently have a total of 160 members; all people who have experience of living with MS or caring for a person with MS.
The Research and Campaigns Networks have core aims in line with recommendations set out in the MS Society Strategy for 2008-2012.
The networks aim to:
- actively involve people affected by MS in all aspects of the MS Society research and campaigns programme
- make a difference to the direction, quality and reporting of MS research
- help prioritise national campaigning efforts and assist individual campaigners in achieving positive change locally
Involving people affected by MS helps us to ensure that:
- research funded by the Society reflects the needs and interests of those who live with the condition
- information about research results is accessible to everyone in the MS community
- our campaigns reflect the needs of the MS community
- people affected by MS have an opportunity to learn more about research and use their skills to assist research and campaigning
160 Network members are actively involved
Network members are involved in MS Society research activities including:- 1 sitting on Grant Review Panel 1 (Basic & Clinical research).
- 2 sitting on Grant Review Panel 2 (Applied & Evolving MS Services research).
- More than 20 members acting as external reviewers for the grant review process.
- 12 were involved in the Buddy Pilot Scheme that took place in 2003, the scheme is now called the Research Partnership Scheme and we hope to match partners to 16 research projects by July 2008.
- 4 representing people affected by MS on management boards for the UK Multiple Sclerosis Tissue Bank, the MRI Unit and The MS Society Cambridge Centre for Myelin Repair.
