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What is Public Involvement?

Public involvement in research is research carried out ‘with’ or ‘by’ members of the public rather than ‘to’, ‘about’ or ‘for’ them.

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Public Involvement

Public involvement is where members of the public are actively involved as partners in research projects and in research organisations. This includes the involvement of patients, carers and people who use health and social care services (now or in the past), as well as people from organisations, such as community groups, that represent people who use services.

Examples of how the public can help shape research are:

  • identifying topics and questions of importance to patients and service users
  • offering advice and feedback as a member of a project’s steering group or a public involvement group
  • helping to develop information leaflets for people taking part in research that are easy to read and understandable
  • supporting the researchers with carrying out the research, for example by interviewing people taking part
  • helping to share the results of research in accessible ways that are easy to understand 

How ARC EoE is involving the public

We have public contributor roles in groups and committees that oversee the planning and organisation of ARC EoE.  This includes the Public, Community, Involvement, Engagement and Participation Group (PCIEP Group) who over see our approach to public involvement across the ARC.  Our researchers involve the public in the research they carry out. This includes in the ways outlined above. Public contributors are offered reimbursement for their time and expenses covered. 

Our researchers are also working to engage with people who live in different communities across the East of England, including Peterborough and Fenland, Great Yarmouth and Waveney, Stevenage and Thurrock, so we can understand better what the needs of these communities are and work to make sure our research makes a positive difference to the lives of the people who live there. 

Learn the latest about our work with communities across East of England here

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