The NIHR Three Schools are delighted to announce a new webinar series delivered in partnership with the NHS England/Department for Health and Social Care-funded Research Engagement Network (REN) Programme. The REN Programme was established to increase diversity in research participation and supports the establishment of trusted relationships between communities who are underserved by research, researchers, and the NHS to strengthen participation in health and care research.
The series will focus on a different region each month and highlight learning, experiences and practical insights emerging from REN activity across England. Webinars will bring together researchers, practitioners, community organisations and public partners to share effective approaches to inclusive research engagement.
The first webinar will showcase activity from the Midlands region. Presenters will share snapshots of partnership working, community engagement approaches, practical resources and lessons learned from working with underserved and marginalised communities in their region.
Attendees will gain practical insights into inclusive engagement approaches, hear examples of impact and innovation, and identify opportunities for future collaboration.
When: 8th October 2026: 11 – 13.00
How: Microsoft Teams
Presenters:
- Kathy Jeays-Ward (Embedding Research Team | Innovation, Research, Life Sciences and Strategy Group | CSA Group, NHS England)
- Oana Ciurdarean & Azhar Farooqi (Leicester, Leicestershire Northamptonshire and Rutland (LLNR) ICB regions)
- Helen Duffy, Nicola Evans & Michelle Vodden (The Health and Care Research for All Programme (Staffordshire, Stoke-on-Trent, Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin REN Programme)
- Jan Pusiak & Joy Krishnamoorthy (Birmingham, the Black Country and Solihull)
Target audience:
This event is open to all but will be particularly relevant to those working in, or involved in, research across the Midlands region.
Acknowledgement and disclaimer:
Activities presented as part of this webinar are funded through the ICS Research Engagement Network (REN) programme which is co-funded by NHS England and DHSC. The views expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of NHS England or the Department of Health and Social Care.
Draft Agenda for Session:
| Time | Description | Speakers |
| 11.00 | Welcome & Housekeeping | |
| 11.10 | Overview of Research Engagement Network Programme | Kathy Jeays-Ward |
| 11.15 | Presentation 1 – Leicester, Leicestershire Northamptonshire and Rutland (LLNR) ICB regions | Oana Ciurdarean & Azhar Farooqi |
| 11.40 | Presentation 2 – The Health and Care Research for All Programme (Staffordshire, Stoke-on-Trent, Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin REN Programme) | Helen Duffy, Nicola Evans & Michelle Vodden |
| 12.05 | Comfort Break | |
| 12.10 | Presentation 3 – Birmingham, the Black Country and Solihull | Jan Pusiak & Joy Krishnamoorthy |
| 12.35 | Q&A with presenters | All |
| 13.00 | Close |
