Patient and Public Involvement in Research

Get involved in research | Resources for researchers | PenPIG

On this page: Who we are | Why PPI? I Resources and support I Get involved I Publications I Contact us

What we do

The Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) team support PenCLAHRC researchers and students to involve the public in their research projects.
We conduct and publish research on how best to involve members of the public in health policy, research and practice.
Through teaching, workshops and creating resources, we help members of the public to develop their own research questions.
Our Patient and Public Involvement Group (PenPIG) work alongside the PPI team to help maximise the benefits of health research.

Download our flyer (PDF) for a brief introduction to the PPI team, what we can do for you and how we work with PenPIG. You can also read our UPDATED Strategic Plan for 2017-2018 including our background, aims, and priorities.

Who we are

The PPI Team are Kate Boddy, Kristin Liabo, Helen Burchmore, Emma Cockcroft and Tanya Hynd, led by Professor Nicky Britten. To find out more about us, click on our names!

Why involve the public in research?

The experience that researchers and clinicians have of healthcare services often comes from a specialised and expert point of view. Patients and members of the public provide a different way of looking at things that can ground the discussion in practical experience. The lay perspective can make clear things that are so obvious the professionals have stopped noticing them and ask ‘naive’ but important questions that the experts are too well trained to think of.

Involving people in health and social care research is about giving the people who are meant to benefit from this research a say in shaping the research agenda. It requires lay people to be involved on an equal basis to academics and health care professionals. This includes not just participating in research that has been initiated by academics, but also in shifting the power balance so that users and carers can initiate research and work collaboratively with academics.

How can I get involved?

To get involved in our research, attend workshops, or join PenPIG, please contact the team via email. Your contact information will be kept private and will not be shared with anyone outside of PenCLAHRC.

Visit the Get involved page to see a list of current 'Calls for Involvement' with local healthcare-related organisations.

Currently PenPIG does not have any free spaces, but we can add your name to a waiting list if you would like to be contacted when spaces become free.

Resources and support for researchers

Although ultimately the PPI team are here to support PenCLAHRC projects, we may be able to give advice to external researchers. We hold free PPI Advice Clinics every month for researchers in Exeter and Plymouth. For the next available clinic in your area, please see the PenCLAHRC events page.

We have produced a range of information and resources that you may find helpful. Please visit our Resources page to find out more. If you have a request for information, templates or worked examples then please email us and let us know.