Key Information
Tutors: Maria Piggin, Laura Alvarado-Cruz, Leandros Tsiotos, Ruchi Wadhwa, Marian Adeyemo
Duration: 3 hour workshop
Delivery: Live (In-Person, White City)
ECRI Credit (PGR only): 1 credit
Audience: Research Degree Students, Postdocs, Research Fellows
Dates
- Tues 22 Sept 2026
09:30-12:30, White City - - Tues 24 Nov 2026
09:30-12:30, White City - - Tues 23 Feb 2027
9:30-12:30, White City - - Tues 20 April 2027
9:30-12:30, White City - - Tues 22 June 2027
9:30-12:30, White City -
This session, run by the Patient Experience Research Centre (PERC) and co-facilitated with a public contributor, will provide an introduction to public involvement in research in the context of health research. You will be introduced to the differences between co-production, public involvement, public engagement, and participation as defined by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) and set public involvement in the wider research context.
This session focuses specifically on public involvement in research (i.e. research undertaken “with” of “by” patients and the public rather than “on”, “to” or “about” them). You will learn why public involvement is important, examples of where it can be undertaken in the research cycle and who to involve. The session will include practical tips about undertaking public involvement and provide some examples of different public involvement activities. You will also have the opportunity to work alongside public contributors who will also be attending the training to develop a plan for involving people in an example project, (or your own project if you wish) providing an opportunity to apply the learning to a real-world scenario.
This course is designed for those undertaking research which will impact patients and the public. This is usually medical research but may include other disciplines depending on the research project. The course is open to 51³Ô¹ÏÍø staff members as well as postgraduate students. It is aimed at those with little or no prior experience of public involvement.
If you would like to check whether this session is applicable to you, please feel free to contact us at: publicinvolvement@imperial.ac.uk
Learning Outcomes:
On completion of this session you will be able to:
- Describe the differences between “public involvement”, “public engagement” and “public participation” in a health-related research context;
- Explain the reasons why public involvement in medical research is important;
- Identify when and how public involvement can be undertaken throughout the research cycle;
- Recognise your role in addressing underrepresentation in research
- Identify what steps are needed to be considered when planning public involvement in a project
How to book
Dates and direct booking links are available above.
This course is free, however please see the PERC's Cancellation Policy.
To ensure there are equal numbers of PhD students and staff at each session there is a quota system so even numbers can attend each session. Priority will be given to doctoral students and research staff who undertake public involvement in health research in their role. Because this course is in high demand and in order to secure a place at a future session, we request that those who cannot attend a session let us know in advance so others can be offered a place.
If you have any queries or need support completing the registration form, please email  publicinvolvement@imperial.ac.uk
Further Information
Other courses with related content that may interest you:
- Core Engagement Masterclass – focuses more broadly on public engagement
- Participatory Research Masterclass – focuses on approaches to participatory research more generally