Pain Speciality Group set to benefit from vast experience of new Network Lead
The NHS Research Scotland (NRS) Pain Specialty Group has welcomed a new Network Lead with vast expertise drawn from over three decades working in healthcare, research, and academia
Professor Gary Macfarlane, previously the group’s Deputy Clinical Lead for three years, is also taking on the role of Scottish Pain Research Community (SPaRC) Steering Committee Chair.
The Clinical Chair in Epidemiology at the University of Aberdeen since 2005 previously held the same post at The University of Manchester from 1999 where he led a programme of chronic pain research at the Arthritis Research UK Epidemiology Unit.
Professor Macfarlane is an Honorary Consultant in the Department of Public Health at NHS Grampian, and Director of the Arthritis UK/Medical Research Council Centre for Musculoskeletal Health and Work and the Scottish Centre for Work and Health.
He and his research team have particular expertise in common complex conditions, including musculoskeletal pain and fatigue, fibromyalgia, and early osteoarthritis, inflammatory conditions, and rare diseases.
Professor Macfarlane is a Chartered Statistician of the Royal Statistical Society, a Fellow of the Faculty of Public Health Medicine, and an Honorary Fellow of the Faculty of Occupational Medicine.
Beginning his career in Italy and graduating from the University of Glasgow four times — as well as the University of Bristol — he has developed diverse expertise that will help to shape and inform the specialty group’s direction.
This includes developing a formal network of researchers across Scotland to provide an effective route for increasing multicentre studies; assessing novel interventions for chronic pain; and strengthening research links to foster academic collaboration and address research gaps.
He said: “I am proud to be taking senior roles with both the Pain Specialty Group and SPaRC Steering Committee.
“I believe there is significant scope to strengthen an already robust network of pain researchers, clinicians, third-sector organisations, patient groups, and other key stakeholders across Scotland in the support of internationally competitive pain research.
“It is vital that we aim to encompass the full scientific range and clinical spectrum, ensuring that clinical practice in managing chronic pain is informed by current research, and conversely, that current research in chronic pain is relevant to clinical practice.
“Exceptional work has already been achieved, but we must extend the drive to identify new and better treatments, while maximising opportunities for patients to participate in trials if they wish to do so.”
The Pain specialty group will deliver its Annual Scientific Meeting (ASM) on Friday 4 December, sharing the latest Scottish pain research and offering a platform for networking.
Now in its 16th year, the meeting will also invite knowledge sharing around patient and public involvement and engagement (PPIE) activities.
Confirmed guest speakers include Professor Neil O'Connell of Brunel University of London, a Professor of Evidence-Based Healthcare in the Physiotherapy Division of the Department of Health Sciences; and Professor Annina Schmid of the University of Oxford, a Professor of Pain Neurosciences.
A call for abstracts is also now open, with submissions for oral and poster presentations welcome in the categories of 'Research' and 'Patient and Public Involvement/Engagement (PPIE)' activity happening in pain research across Scotland.
Guidance notes can be accessed in the links above with both submission windows closing on Tuesday 6 October.
Exhibitor opportunities are also available. If you wish to reserve an exhibitor stand, or have any other queries, please contact NRS Pain Portfolio Performance Manager Jacqui Pearson.
Publication date: 29th September 2026
