The University of Hertfordshire is celebrating 20 years of its Public Involvement in Research Group (PIRg). A new video showcases the group’s impact through the voices of public contributors, researchers, PhD students, and external collaborators.
Members of the Public Involvement in Research Group (PIRg) celebrating the 20th anniversary
Established in 2005, the Public Involvement in Research Group (PIRg) at the University of Hertfordshire facilitates meaningful collaboration between researchers and public contributors. By incorporating lived experience into every stage of the research lifecycle, PIRg ensures that studies are shaped and designed with patient, carer, and public perspectives at their core, keeping research grounded and relevant.
Facilitated by Professor Julia Jones, the PIRg consists of 12 to 15 individuals from across the Hertfordshire area. Each member brings lived experience of one or more health conditions, either as a patient, service user, carer, or someone receiving health and social care. PIRg is believed to be one of the longest-running university-based public involvement groups in the UK.
Professor Wendy Wills, Director of the NIHR ARC East of England and Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research and Enterprise) at the University of Hertfordshire, shares the aim of this group:
“The PIRg ensures that a diverse range of people can shape our research questions, support the ways we recruit participants for our research studies and help find creative and appropriate ways to use research evidence to benefit society.”
Professor Wendy Wills, Director of the NIHR ARC East of England and Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research and Enterprise) at the University of Hertfordshire
Researchers from ARC East of England, including Dr. Elspeth Mathie, Theme Lead of the Inclusive Involvement in Research theme, have actively collaborated with PIRg members across various stages of research projects. Their involvement has included reviewing research bids, shaping research questions, acting as co-researchers, and co-designing dissemination outputs.
To mark its 20-year anniversary, PIRg has collaborated with the University of Hertfordshire, Flexible Films and graphic illustrator Beci Ward to produce a short film celebrating the group’s legacy. The film features past and present PIRg members sharing their experiences and reflecting on how their lived experience has helped shape and inform research. It also includes ARC East of England researchers who have worked closely with the group.
Watch the video below:
Hear more about the group by getting in touch via email: PIRg@herts.ac.uk.
With thanks to Reena Masrani, who contributed to writing this news article.