Public and community involvement
At the Centre for Public Health, we work in partnership with members of the public and local communities, to create research and impact that reflects real lives, real experiences, and real community priorities.
Public and community involvement is the inclusion of people and communities in research so that their lived experiences, knowledge and expertise meaningfully shape the work which is carried out.
It ensures that researchers, members of the public, community groups, patients, carers and professionals all work as equal partners throughout a research project to design, deliver and share work together.
The importance of public and community involvement
Public members’ skills, knowledge, experience and perspectives matter to our research teams. It may be that the researchers do not have the personal experience that public members bring. We want to make sure that the things that are important for the public are not overlooked or missed by researchers.
Role of public and communities in research
The Centre for Public Health embeds Public and Community Engagement in all its project work and continues to grow its body of public members.
Our public members are involved in many different types of work. Examples of this include sharing lived experience, connecting communities and providing feedback, advice and guidance. Our public members receive payment for their work and time.
Take part in our research
If you are interested in working with us in the Centre for Public Health and would like to be part of our pool of Public Contributors, please complete our enquiry form.
If you would like any further information, please email our Public and Community Involvement and Engagement Manager, Nina Pugh: nina.pugh@bristol.ac.uk.