An award-winning partnership between Keele University and Expert Citizens CIC
We were delighted this November when Expert Citizens CIC secured the esteemed Breaking the Mould Award for Social Inclusion, at Keele University. Sponsored by Synetic Solutions and announced by TV personality and news presenter Natasha Kaplinsky, the accolade was presented by Professor David Amigoni from the Keele University Institute for Social Inclusion.Our CEO, Darren Murinas sprinted to the stage to proudly accept the award in recognition of the partnership work between Expert Citizens CIC and Keele University. Also present to witness the presentation of the award were Andy Meakin, Professor Tony Fryer, and Nicki Evans who, alongside Darren, have all been central to the development and delivery of the award-winning project and partnership.
[/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https://expertcitizens.bwardemo.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Breaking-the-Mold-1.jpg” title_text=”Breaking the Mold” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” box_shadow_style=”preset1″ global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]This honour caps over two years of dedicated commitment to the development of the Insight | Public Involvement quality standards. This initiative, forged in collaboration with Keele University and funded by NIHR through the Clinical Research Network West Midlands, stands as a testament to the collective vision and perseverance of those involved. The quality standards established are a testament to the collaboration between individuals with lived experiences, drawing from the wealth of insights gleaned from both Expert Citizens and the Research User Group at Keele University. This collaborative effort embodies a pioneering approach, ensuring that the voices of those with firsthand experiences are intricately woven into the fabric of these groundbreaking standards providing a framework for the continuous improvement of public involvement in health and social care research.
“This award represents a milestone in our efforts to promote genuine inclusivity and societal integration particularly for seldom heard communities. The collaborative spirit between Expert Citizens and Keele University has been instrumental in shaping these standards, amplifying the voices of those often marginalised. We are delighted to be recognised in this way and thank everyone involved. Tony, Nicki, and the whole team at Keele’s Impact Accelerator Unit have been excellent and we’re really looking forward to what’s next”, said Andy Meakin, Director at Expert Citizens.
The recognition encapsulated in this award not only celebrates past achievements, but we hope also signals a future where inclusive practices and the insights of lived experiences serve as cornerstones for meaningful social change.
Expert Citizens have also partnered with Keele’s Institute for Social Inclusion to deliver a series of workshops exploring lived experience as a source of valuable knowledge to inform policy and practice. The first workshop set the scene for later discussions by looking at the philosophical basis for knowledge gained through lived experience and the impact of power asymmetry on perceptions of value. The next workshop, which takes place on Wednesday 13th December, will hear directly from delegates about their experiences of influencing policy and practice using lived experience. The final workshop in the series will take place in January.
[/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https://expertcitizens.bwardemo.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/20231122_171924-1.jpg” title_text=”20231122_171924″ align=”center” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” box_shadow_style=”preset1″ global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]For more information about any of the above work, contact Andy Meakin via info@expertcitizens.org.uk.
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