2025 Grant Winners

After a rigorous application review process, we’re proud to award funding for the following ground-breaking research projects investigating eczema and topical steroid withdrawal (TSW).

PhD Studentship Award Winner

Dr Paul Leighton, Dr Laura Howells and Dr Lydia Tutt, University of Nottingham. 

PhD Studentship Award – The Christine Orton Memorial Award - Talk TSW – Talking about Topical Steroid Withdrawal in Healthcare Consultations 

This PhD studentship will explore how patients and healthcare professionals communicate about Topical Steroid Withdrawal (TSW), a growing area of concern among he eczema community. The project will develop and pilot a consultation tool to support better conversations and improve care outcomes. This award marks the first-ever PhD studentship funded by Eczema UK in memory of its founder, Christine Orton, honouring her legacy by supporting pioneering research that addresses the real-life challenges faced by people with eczema. Christine’s tireless work helped transform public and clinical awareness of eczema, laying the foundation for the Society’s advocacy, education, and now research funding work. The Society is deeply proud to honour her legacy through this award, and to support the next generation of eczema researchers in her name. 

PhD Studentship Award Winner

Evaluating Effects of Sunlight and Other Environmental Exposures in Atopic Dermatitis 
Dr Kirsty Rutter and Dr Zenas Yiu, University of Manchester & Salford Care Organisation. 

This research investigates how sunlight and other environmental factors affect eczema symptoms, including whether wearable UV sensors and data tools could support personalised self-management. Findings will help clarify how UV exposure helps or worsens eczema for different individuals and inform care strategies. 

Pump-priming Grant Award Winner

The Lived Experiences of Women with Atopic Dermatitis – Natural Language Processing (LEAD NLP) Prof Carsten Flohr – St John’s Institute of Dermatology, King’s College London, Prof Dr Christian Apfelbacher, Prof Catherine Nelson-Piercy, Prof Christian Vestergaard, Dr Helen Yannakoudakis, Stephen Barlow, Dr Ruchika Kumari, Dr Alphonsus Yip, Dr Suzanne Keddie and Sarah Mewett, Patient Expert. 

This study uses natural language processing (NLP) and qualitative methods to explore the challenges women with eczema face, especially around pregnancy and reproductive health. Insights will help improve care, guide resources for healthcare professionals, and create an NLP model to support future dermatology research. 

Pump-Priming Grant Award Winner

Scratching the Surface: Investigating the Scale and Molecular Mechanisms of Topical Steroid Withdrawal Dr Alice Burleigh and Prof Sara Brown, University of Edinburgh. 

This project will be the first structured study of TSW in the UK, combining survey data from 500 people with clinical and molecular analysis. The research aims to improve understanding of how TSW develops and inform future approaches to diagnosis and treatment. 

Why Eczema Research Matters 

Eczema affects millions of people worldwide, causing discomfort, distress, and a significant impact on everyday life. Despite its prevalence, many aspects of the condition remain under-researched, and treatment options are often limited. 

At Ezcema UK, supporting innovative, patient-centred research is a top priority. These newly awarded grants aim to: 

• Explore the underlying causes of eczema 

• Identify new treatment pathways 

• Improve the quality of life for people living with eczema 

Thank you to applicants and reviewers 

We received an overwhelming response to our first grant round, and we were inspired by the high calibre of proposals submitted. Thank you to all researchers who applied. Your dedication to making a difference is deeply appreciated. 

A special thank you to: 

• Our Grant Advisory Panel and External Reviewers – for their time, expertise, and thoughtful assessments 

• The Expert by Experience Group – for reviewing lay summaries and ensuring research is aligned with the needs of people with eczema 

Your contributions were vital in selecting the most promising and impactful projects. 

Our Commitment to Patient-Informed Research 

We’re proud that our research programme is built not just on scientific excellence but also on the voices of those with lived experience. The projects we fund are designed to be relevant, meaningful, and truly patient-centred. 

This is an incredibly exciting new chapter for Eczema UK as we begin directly funding research for the first time. We are especially proud to honour our founder, Christine Orton, by naming our first PhD studentship after her - a fitting tribute to her visionary work and lifelong dedication to improving the lives of people with eczema. 

Andrew Proctor, Chief Executive of Eczema UK

With these grants, we’re supporting research that tackles real-world challenges, advances scientific knowledge and provides tangible benefits to people living with eczema. 

We’re proud to support both new researchers and high-impact pilot studies, addressing gaps in our knowledge and paving the way to better care. Topical Steroid Withdrawal is a particular concern for people with eczema and Eczema UK is pleased to be leading the way to better understanding. 

Funding round results

About our success rates

Eczema UK publishes information about the outcomes of our competitive research funding rounds as part of our commitment to transparency.

Success rates are calculated as the proportion of eligible full applications considered through the relevant funding round that received an award.

How funding decisions are made

All eligible applications are assessed through Eczema UK’s established research funding process.

Scientific quality and merit are assessed independently through expert review and our Grant Advisory Panel. Eczema UK staff may check applications for eligibility, completeness and alignment with the funding call, but do not undertake scientific-quality triage.

People with lived experience of eczema also contribute to our research funding activities, helping us consider the relevance of proposed research to people affected by the condition.

Learn more about how we fund research.

Meet our Grant Advisory Panel.

Following the research we fund

Our relationship with researchers continues after an award is made.

We monitor the progress of funded research and encourage researchers to communicate their work and findings to people affected by eczema. As projects develop, we will share research updates, publications and other outputs through our website and communications.

Learn More 

For updates on our research programme and information on how to apply for future funding opportunities, please visit our Grants Page. 

Thank you for your continued support of Eczema UK and the future of eczema research.