%0 Journal Article %A Cecilia Vindrola-Padros %A Daniel Herron %A Nick McNally %T Boundary work during COVID-19: The transformation of research review and set-up %D 2021 %R 10.7861/fhj.2020-0262 %J Future Healthcare Journal %P fhj.2020-0262 %X Background and aims The rapid setting up of research during the COVID-19 pandemic led to changes in ways of working within research organisations. The aim of this study was to examine the experiences of staff involved in the research review and set-up system at a large NHS and university partnership in the UK through the lens of boundary theory.Methods We carried out a rapid qualitative appraisal based on telephone interviews (n=25) to explore how staff experienced the research review and set-up system during the pandemic.Results In light of the pressures created by the pandemic, the boundaries established to set up distinct groups and responsibilities were modified to allow for different ways of working. Some of the new structures and processes were seen positively and brought groups that previously worked at a distance closer together.Conclusions The reconceptualisation of relations within the research system during the pandemic added more fluidity to ways of working within the research office and contributed to closer working interactions and an expanded team ethos. %U https://www.rcpjournals.org/content/futurehosp/early/2021/04/26/fhj.2020-0262.full.pdf