Our research
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[H4] About the project
This project is led by Professor Tania Gergel and colleagues at King’s College London.
Advance Choice Documents [SO1] (ACDs) are written or spoken records that allow people with fluctuating mental illness to say in advance, when they are well, what treatment they would like if they become ill. [H4] What are we doing now?
The Bipolar UK research team has been busy working with colleagues at the Department of Health and Social Care to help deliver ACDs as a central element of the new Mental Health Bill.
In summer 2025, we appointed a social entrepreneur to help deliver the next phase of the project, which is to take the ACD website and build a social enterprise so that it can continue to run.
[SO1]Hyperlink: www.advancechoice.org
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Who is running the study?
This study is being run by Professors James Walters and Neil Harrison at Cardiff University, alongside Swansea, Bath, Bristol and Exeter Universities, and the Research Division of Bipolar UK.
The team at Cardiff has put together this introductory video as an overview of the project.
What is involved in the study?
If you take part, the research team will invite you to attend Cardiff University so you can through a series of assessments, which usually takes up to six hours. These assessments include questionnaires, height/weight test, a blood test, and neuroimaging scans.
The team at Cardiff has put together this information video to show you the site and explain what to expect.
Who can apply for the study?
You can apply for the study if you:
- can commute to Cardiff University (travel costs will be paid)
- are aged 18 or older
- have bipolar, schizophrenia, or schizoaffective disorder, either with or without a current diagnosis
What commitment would I have to make?
The study will take place on one day, and take up to six hours, during which you will be supported by Research Assistants and Assistant Psychologists.
You will be paid £100 for your time on the day, and lunch will be provided.
Your travel costs will be paid. If you need support from a carer on the day, your carer’s travel costs will also be paid.
How can I apply?
Fundraising events
Bipolar in the news
Meet the research team
Denis Duagi
Research Manager
In September 2025, Dr Denis Duagi joined Bipolar UK as a postdoctoral Research Manager. A mental health researcher specialising in …
Denis Duagi
Research Manager
In September 2025, Dr Denis Duagi joined Bipolar UK as a postdoctoral Research Manager.
A mental health researcher specialising in lived experience–led approaches to policy and service development, Denis completed a PhD in Public Mental Health at King’s College London, where she designed and led a mixed-methods evaluation of school-based mental health interventions, focusing on long-term impact and policy translation.
Alongside her academic expertise, Denis brings lived experience of bipolar, which has shaped her commitment to inclusive and impactful research.
Professor Tania Gergel
Director of Research
In February 2023, Professor Tania Gergel joined Bipolar UK as our first ever Director of Research. Her work focuses on …
Professor Tania Gergel
Director of Research
In February 2023, Professor Tania Gergel joined Bipolar UK as our first ever Director of Research. Her work focuses on putting the lived experience of mental illness at the centre of mental health research and policy.
Alongside a team at King’s College London and colleagues at the Department of Health and Social Care, Tania’s research has been used to help deliver Advance Choice Documents as a central element of the new Mental Health Bill.
Tania provides an influential advisory role with the aim of getting more coproduction and engagement into research projects, and she has an ongoing focus on understanding suicide and diagnosis in bipolar.
Professor Tania Gergel holds professorships at Cardiff University and University College London.
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