

Authors from around the globe…. agree that the challenges and complexities of implementation far outweigh the efforts of developing practices and programs themselves
Dean L Fixsen and colleagues, 2005 Implementation Research: A Synthesis of the Literature
The UK Implementation Society (UK-IS) is an independent membership organisation and a registered charity connecting those working in implementation science, practice and policy for services for people.
The Society promotes, increases and sustains knowledge and understanding of the science of implementation in public benefit services. We aim to advance practice in applying this knowledge on the ground, especially in the particular contexts of UK services and systems.


Latest News
Implementation Knowledge & News
Issue 22 - April 2022
The latest issue of our bulletin for members is available to read now in the members area.
All previous issues available to read in our Open Resources section.
Scaling Implementation Capacity
A presentation from UK-IS Founder and outgoing Chair Dr Deborah Ghate.
In this presentation from 2021, Deborah Ghate talks about implementation capacity and discusses ways in which it can be scaled up.
5th UK Implementation Science Research Conference
“Beyond trials: the rise of pragmatic approaches to implementation science in health and social care research.”
The conference brings together online researchers, policymakers, clinicians, practitioners and service users from around the world. Part of Implementation Week 2022.
Founder's Reflections
Looking back on the early history of the UK Implementation Society 2014 to 2021: how it all began
Outgoing Chair and founder of The UK Implementation Society, Dr Deborah Ghate, reflects on the history of the Society and her time as Chair.
June Journal Club Meeting
Take part in our bi-monthly implementation science & practice Journal Club meetings.
Tuesday 28th June 2022, 12:30 - 13:15 with Dr. Alex Ziemann discussing:
Adapting interventions to new contexts—the ADAPT guidance
Philanthropy Impact Magazine Article
Issue 25 - Summer 2021
Outgoing UK-IS Chair Dr Deborah Ghate and UK-IS Trustee Dr Tom Jefford have co-written a piece about Implementation science and practice, effectiveness and the SDG's.
Help us close the implementation gap
In public service, implementation refers to the process of putting a service, a policy, or a set of practices into application so that it achieves its intended outcomes to provide socially significant benefits to individuals and society. Even the best-designed services and programmes will fail if they are implemented poorly. Across the world, scientists, policy makers, funders and practitioners recognise that there is an implementation gap between what is known about effective services and how they are delivered in practice.
In social care, education and in health as well as in other areas of services for people, the fields of implementation, improvement and innovation science and practice are rapidly developing, aiming to pool knowledge and know-how in order to bridge this gap more quickly. Implementation science (and improvement science in health circles) is the systematic study and testing of implementation processes and innovations in order to expand the knowledge base about ‘what works’. Implementation practice is how we use that knowledge in the design and delivery of services on the ground.
We welcome those who are new to the field of implementation or who want to find out more, as well as more experienced colleagues.


The UK Implementation Society is seeking a new Chair following the departure of our
Founding Chair Dr Deborah Ghate
UK Implementation Society Chair
The Society exists to promote implementation science and the closely related field of improvement science. In public services, implementation refers to the process of putting a well-evidenced service, policy, or set of practices into application so that it achieves its intended outcomes to provide socially significant benefits to individuals and society. Even the best-designed services and programmes will fail if they are implemented poorly. Across the world, scientists, policy makers, service and research funders and practitioners recognise that there is an implementation gap between what is known about effective services and what is actually delivered to individuals and entire populations in practice.
The Society is a subscription-based charity. It is currently small but with ambition to grow and extend both membership and influence across public policy and practice, most commonly in health and social care. We wish to draw together academic research with practice so that services are effective, replicable and outcome focused. We have a web presence, a small administration resource to support the Board and links across the UK, Europe and beyond with similar networks. We have provided training, seminars and contributions to the implementation field.
As Chair you will lead the Trustee Board which meets bi-monthly. You will be excited by the potential of implementation and improvement science but not necessarily be an expert in the field. As a clear and strategic communicator you will help us to find our voice on a national stage and bring forward networks and opportunities for us to develop relationships with key partners and organisations so that the Society can develop and flourish. Our Board is ready to welcome your leadership, energy and enthusiasm for this work. Meetings are held virtually with an annual strategy day held in London.
For an informal discussion please contact Dr Tom Jefford, interim chair on 07909 687703 or via tom.jefford@fpmcic.com
We aim to review interest in early April 2022.
The UK Implementation Society thanks our sponsors and collaborators for their support, past and present
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