About the Centre
The Centre for Pain and Active Inference (PAIn) Research at HSU is dedicated to reimagining how we understand and treat pain. Chronic pain is one of the greatest health challenges of our time, affecting millions worldwide and shaping lives in diverse and challenging ways. Our centre brings together neuroscience, psychology, clinical science, and innovative technologies to ask bold new questions: how does the brain-body system perceive, interpret, and shape pain, and how can these insights transform patient care?
At the heart of our work is Active Inference, a leading-edge framework in neuroscience that explores how humans continuously update their internal models of the world to minimise uncertainty and maintain wellbeing. By applying this lens to pain, we aim to uncover how perception and expectation influence what patients feel. The Active Inference framework profoundly reunites body and mind in a fundamental science-based view and promises to generate new insights into how clinical approaches that address the whole person can provide more effective care for those in pain.
The Centre is also a hub for collaboration. We work with clinicians, researchers, and industry partners across the UK and internationally, ensuring any discoveries move as swiftly as possible from theory into practice. Our researchers and PhD students are exploring interventions that integrate science, technology, and most importantly, the centrality of human connection between clinicians and patients.
Above all, the Centre for PAIn Research is about impact: training the next generation of pain researchers, creating knowledge exchange opportunities for clinicians, and engaging communities in conversations about living with and overcoming pain. By uniting cutting-edge science with person centred compassionate care, we aim to contribute to a step change in how pain is understood and managed, improving quality of life for patients today and for generations to come.
Head of Centre
Professor Dave Newell
BSc, PgCert, PhD, FRCC (Hon), FEAC - Professor of Integrated Musculoskeletal Care and Health Sciences University Doctoral Coordinator
Full bio
Research Fellows and Visiting Professors
UK: Professor Mick Thacker (Royal College of Surgery Ireland, University of Medicine and Health Sciences); Mick, a leading figure in pain science and physiotherapy, integrates neuroscience, philosophy, and clinical practice. A world authority on neuroplasticity and pain, he has delivered a TEDx talk on Active Inference and serves on the Scientific Board of the Active Inference Institute, bringing high-level expertise and international recognition.
Portugal: Professor Jorge Esteves (Escola Superior de Saúde Atlântica, Atlântica University); Jorge, an osteopath and academic, has published with leading figures in Active Inference, including Karl Friston. He contributes key research in this field and is part of a European expert network, bringing theoretical insight, research expertise, and collaborative links to Active Inference and pain.
Denmark: Associate Professor Soren O’Neil (Department of Regional Health Research, Head of Research, Lillebælt Hospital); Soren, with a PhD in chronic low back pain, is Head of Research and leads an experimental pain lab in Denmark. He combines clinical and academic roles, bringing extensive expertise in translating pain research into practice, including current work on VR implementation in pain management.
UK: Professor Felicity Bishop (Psychology, University of Southampton); Felicity, a Chartered and Health Psychologist, leads interdisciplinary research on complementary therapies and placebo effects, funded by NIHR and others. Widely published and internationally collaborative, she brings extensive methodological expertise and a strong track record in relevant high-level research to the Centre.
UK: Sarah Sturman (Dorset Pain Management Service); Sarah, an early career NHS researcher and physiotherapist, provides care for chronic pain patients in Dorset. She co-leads the HRV RIF project with Professor Newell and brings clinical expertise and a practice-based focus to the development and application of theoretical interventions for chronic pain.
UK: Dr Keith Walker (School of Health Professions, Plymouth University); Keith, an experienced chiropractic clinician and academic at the University of Plymouth, leads postgraduate education, teaches EBP, and contributes to The JBI Centre of Excellence. He serves on the General Chiropractic Council and brings interprofessional healthcare and education expertise to pain research and its translation into practice.
Italy: Dr Giacomo Rossettini (School of Physiotherapy, University of Verona); Giacomo, a musculoskeletal physiotherapist, lecturer, and researcher, integrates clinical practice with academic teaching and research in musculoskeletal rehabilitation and pain science. His work focuses on placebo and nocebo effects, and on contextual factors that influence therapeutic outcomes. He brings methodological expertise, international research collaborations, and a translational approach to understanding and applying psychosocial mechanisms in clinical care.
Get involved
The HSU Centre for PAIn Research welcomes new collaborators, students, and partners interested in reimagining how we understand and treat pain. The Centre actively seeks partnerships for:
- Joint grant applications and funding bids
- Collaborative research projects across multiple countries
- PhD student supervision and early career researcher development
- Knowledge translation initiatives and practice-based research
Contact information:
Professor Dave Newell: David.newell@hsu.ac.uk
Dr Solomon Segal ssegal@aecc.ac.uk
Latest Research News
Stay up to date with our discoveries, events and impact stories from across the HSU research community.
An innovation developed through HSU’s Centre for Osteopathic Research and Leadership (CORaL) has been selected by the World Health Organization as one of just 21 projects worldwide to feature at the WHO Global Summit.
In October, HSU was pleased to celebrate the publication of the Priorities for Osteopathic Care (PROCare) study in BMJ Open.
Earlier this week, we were pleased to welcome 13 new PhD students to Health Sciences University during our induction event.
We're proud to share exciting research from Professor Steven Vogel and Emeritus Professor Alan Breen at HSU, part of a unique longitudinal study examining how UK chiropractors, osteopaths and physiotherapists manage low back pain.
The Chiropractic Research Council (CRC) has gifted its funds to the new National Centre for Chiropractic Research (NCCR) based at Health Sciences University (HSU) and in partnership with London South Bank University, McTimoney College, Teesside University, and the University of South Wales.
