Public Involvement
Working in partnership with people and communities to shape better primary care research.
We believe research is stronger when it is shaped by the people and communities it aims to benefit.
At the NIHR School for Primary Care Research (SPCR), we work alongside patients, carers, service users, members of the public and communities throughout our research. Their experiences, insights and perspectives help us identify important research questions, improve how studies are designed and delivered, and ensure our findings are relevant to people’s lives.
People and communities contribute across all areas of the School’s work, from helping shape research projects to influencing funding decisions and supporting our governance. Our member institutions also work with public partners across their local research and involvement activities.
Latest News & Events
-
How do we design digital interventions that work for people with diverse needs and experiences?
In this free webinar, we will share what we have learned from the DWELL co-design process, including what worked well, what did not work as well, and what we would do differently. Join us on Tuesday 6 October 2026 | 12:00–13:00 | Online (MS Teams)
-
Public Perceptions of the Future of Primary Care: My Experience as a Peer Researcher
Public contributor Sadia Mir reflects on their experience as a peer researcher in an NIHR SPCR-funded primary care research project.
-
Learning Disability Safe Space Cafés: creating spaces where people feel able to share, learn and be heard
This blog explores the learning from the Learning Disability Safe Space Cafés, a Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement (PPIE) project funded by the NIHR School for Primary Care Research.
What is public involvement and engagement?
There are different ways people and communities can contribute to research.
Public involvement means research is carried out with or by members of the public, rather than to, about or for them. Public partners work with researchers to help shape and guide research.
Public engagement is about sharing information and knowledge about research, creating opportunities for discussion, and helping more people understand and contribute to research.
Together, involvement and engagement help ensure that primary care research addresses issues that matter to people and communities and leads to improvements in health and care.
The School works in partnership with members of the public to influence and inform what we do and how we do it. Public partners are involved across all our research, advising, and sometimes leading on, how research is designed, carried out, shared and adopted and in our governance, helping us to decide what projects we fund.
Each member of the School also involve the public across their own local research and activities.
Member of the public wanting to know more?
There are no prerequisites for becoming a public contributor, and there are many ways you can get involved. Find out more about public involvement, how you can get involved and access relevant training and resources on our pages for the public.
-
Our strategy
Read about our ambitions, priorities and approach to public involvement and engagement across the School.
-
Our Public Steering Group
Learn how public partners help guide and oversee the School’s involvement and engagement work.
-
Resources and Training
Access tools, guidance and training to support meaningful public involvement and engagement in research.
Shared Commitment to Public Involvement
The NIHR School for Primary Care Research is proud to have signed up to the shared commitment to improve public involvement in research, alongside a range of health and care research organisations and members of the public.
Get in touch
There are Patient and Public Involvement Leads at every member of the School. You can contact them for support and information on involving public contributors in your research or if you are a member of the public, to learn more about local opportunities to get involved.
If you would like to be involved with the School’s work or have questions on how the School could support you in your activities, please contact the School for Primary Care Research Involvement and Inclusion Manager, Halle Johnson via halle.johnson@bristol.ac.uk
