FUNDED PROJECTS

The ENLIGHT Pain Education and Research Network (PainNet) brings together four ENLIGHT universities (Galway, Bordeaux, Bern and Ghent) to create a sustainable, international, and uniquely interdisciplinary platform within the ENLIGHT community, integrating expertise across research, education, and community engagement.

Category: ENLIGHT Thematic Network

University: University of Bern, University of Bordeaux, University of Galway, Ghent University
Period: 2025-2027

Pain is the most common reason people seek medical help, with at least one in every five people worldwide living with chronic pain, a figure set to increase further with an increasingly ageing global population. As such, it is unsurprising that pain and pain-related disorders are a leading cause of disability and disease burden globally. The societal and economic costs associated with chronic pain are enormous - estimated at up €12 billion per year in some European counteries1. Current painkillers (analgesics) are ineffective or inadequate in up to 70% of patients and often associated with significant adverse side effects. Unquestionably, the treatment and management of chronic pain represents one of the most significant global challenges of the 21st Century.

The ENLIGHT Pain Education and Research Network (PainNet) brings together four ENLIGHT universities (Galway, Bordeaux, Bern and Ghent) to create a sustainable, international, and uniquely interdisciplinary platform within the ENLIGHT community, integrating expertise across research, education, and community engagement. By fostering collaborative, cross-sector approaches and embedding stakeholders into its initiatives, PainNet aims to drive innovative strategies that can meaningfully improve health outcomes and quality of life for individuals living with chronic pain.

The impact of PainNet will be realised through enhancing research capacity, education and training within the network and wider pain field. The multi-disciplinary expertise within the network will ensure that the team can develop novel and innovate ideas and approaches to the management and treatment of chronic pain. Future academics and clinical leaders will be trained and mentored to progress pain research and management. Embedded patients and stakeholders in all activities of the network will ensure maximum impact for patients, scientists, health care providers, policy makers, industry and society. Our portfolio of outreach activities will contribute to challenging and changing opinions regarding chronic pain and its management.

"My personal highlight of the Pain Net project is its comprehensive and inclusive approach to advancing pain research and management. The emphasis on collaboration across disciplines and institutions fosters innovation and accelerates progress. The focus on supporting early career researchers ensures the development of future leaders in the field. Additionally, the active engagement of stakeholders, including patients and the public, guarantees that research efforts are aligned with societal needs, maximizing societal impact. This holistic strategy not only promotes scientific advancement but also ensures that outcomes are meaningful and directly beneficial to those affected by pain, embodying a truly impactful and socially responsible initiative."