Let’s Talk Labs: filmmakers & their films
Find out more about who made the films and why.

Laboratory or lab-based research is often the first step in research that makes a difference. However, we don’t talk enough about it, so #LetsTalkLabs!
To spark more conversations about this aspect of research, we have partnered with research advisory groups BRAG and Voice Up, people from Greater Manchester and researchers on #LetsTalkLabs, an initiative funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Manchester Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) and NIHR Manchester Clinical Research Facility (CRF).
Young people must have a say in research
Ahmad is a 25-year-old student who wants more young people to shape research that will affect them in the future. To research his film he visited a laboratory, met with NIHR Manchester CRF Laboratory Manager Andrew Bennie, and brought young people from Voice Up together with NIHR Manchester BRC researcher Nisha Nair and scientist Polly Downtown to discuss the topic.
How does laboratory research into breast cancer help my community?
Temitope is a mother of four from Manchester, her Aunt died of breast cancer which motivated her to find out how research can help to reduce Black women’s risk of breast cancer. To make her film she brought women and NIHR Manchester BRC researchers Sacha Howell and Bruno Simoes together at a community event.
How does laboratory research help people with asthma?
Simon is a 48 year old father of two in Manchester, who has been noticing changes in air quality in Manchester and the way he breathes. He was interested to find out how laboratory research can help people with breathing conditions like asthma and he visited NIHR Manchester BRC supported researcher Hannah Durrington at her lab at the University of Manchester.
How does laboratory research help people like me?
Mon is a woman from Hong Kong, who has lived in Manchester since moving here to study. She was interested to find out how laboratory research can benefit people in her community. After visiting a research laboratory she met with Fozia Ahmed, Researcher and Equality Diversity and Inclusion Lead at the NIHR Manchester BRC and CRF.
How do clinical trials work?
Khumbo is a mother of one from South Africa now living in Manchester. In the process of creating her film, she reflected on her previous experiences in a clinical trial and met with NIHR Manchester BRC Researcher Maya Buch to get answers to the questions that matter most to her.
