What is public involvement?

When we talk about public involvement in research, we mean:

All the ways in which the research community works together with people and communities.
All the ways in which research is carried out with or by members of the public, not to, about or for them.

We use the term ‘public contributor to research’ to describe anyone who works in partnership with researchers in this way.

The ways in which people take part in a research study as research participants (e.g. being recruited to a study trial to test a new treatment or intervention, or being invited to complete questionnaires or participate in a focus group as part of a research study).
The ways in which information and knowledge about research is communicated and disseminated publicly (e.g. through the media, at science festivals, or to research participants at the end of a study).

We believe in public involvement in research because

It can improve the relevance and usefulness of research.

It can increase the likelihood that research findings will result in real world changes.

It can enhance the transparency and accountability of the research process.

It can promote public understanding and increase public trust in research