Growing a partnership between health research and communities
Expert Citizens has been working with the Impact Accelerator Unit, Keele University on a project that focuses on bringing together health researchers in universities and people in communities that academic literature calls ‘underserved’. This work began in March 2023 and you can read more about the project here.
To mark the exceptional work being done, Expert Citizens Research and Evaluator Sophia Fedorowicz won the Development of Partnerships with Private, Voluntary, Business and Third Sector Organisations Award at the 2023 Keele Health and Care Partnership Awards. This award recognises individuals who strive to create and nurture partnerships with the private, voluntary, business and third sectors or vice versa with Keele University Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, with the aim of improving and developing health and social care, education, or research activities. Impact Accelerator Unit Manger Nicola Evans was nominated for the same award for their work on the project closely partnering with Sophia.
[/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https://expertcitizens.bwardemo.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Certificate-scaled.jpg” title_text=”Certificate” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”]Why is this work important?
Broadly, the way that health research is carried out in the UK excludes many from being involved and this leads to some communities being greatly underrepresented in research ‘samples’. Consequently, the research findings represent a small corner of society, and this can have devastating impacts for individuals. Research informs health policy, practice, and narratives and if you are a member of an ‘underserved’ community that can mean that the treatment, service, or pathway that you are trying to access is not suitable for you and therefore, not fit for purpose. Examples of these communities are people who have experience of mental health conditions, physical health conditions, drug and alcohol use, contact with the criminal justice system, homelessness, domestic abuse and exploitation. It also includes people who are members of minority groups such as the LGBTQIA+ community or any cultural or ethnic minority group. Women are excluded from many types of health research, as are men in research that focuses on issues connected to child health and social care. So, as you can see, we are all likely to be a member of an ’underserved’ community in some way or other and some people will tick several of these ‘underserved’ boxes. Health research needs a renaissance.
[/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https://expertcitizens.bwardemo.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Sophia-2.jpg” title_text=”Sophia 2″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]What are we doing about it?
Many health researchers are aware of the issues with representation in research but struggle to know how to make the necessary changes to make health research a more accessible and equitable activity. Expert Citizens believes that partnership working is a crucial first step in working towards this goal, and staff from the Impact Accelerator Unit and Expert Citizens have been working together to plant the seeds of a partnership that will continue now that the initial project has finished. We recently hosted a connection event at Keele Hall attended by the Expert Citizens membership, VAST and the Health Champions, and Beth Johnson to pull out ideas about how to move our partnership forward.
[/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]What’s next?
The next step is to host another connection event that is open to community groups and anyone living and working in Stoke-on-Trent with an interest in this partnership. We will be carrying out some evaluation activities of what we have done so far, and looking for funding opportunities for research that is collaborative with community groups. There is along way to go, but we believe we have made a good start by establishing a partnership grounded in mutual respect and strengths based working.
[/et_pb_text][et_pb_testimonial author=”Nicola Evans” job_title=”Impact Accelerator Unit Manager” company_name=”Operational Lead for Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement” portrait_url=”https://expertcitizens.bwardemo.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Nicki.png” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]2023 has given the Impact Accelerator Unit at Keele University the opportunity to work in collaboration with Expert Citizens CIC, focusing on health and engagement in health research. Our joint passion for lived experience to be at the heart of the work we do has allowed us to build a really productive relationship. I have really benefitted from the open and warm welcome that Expert Citizens has provided to me, learning new approaches and ways of working to ensure that public voices not always heard in research can be amplified. This is definitely just the start of our partnership, we are invested in continuing to work as partners, looking at the sustainability of the partnership and opportunities to co-produce projects and research studies together.
[/et_pb_testimonial][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]If you are interested in this work, or want to find out how Expert Citizens can support your research goals, please contact our Research and Evaluations Lead Sophia: sophia.insight@expertcitizens.org.uk
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