Project 806 | From Barriers to Enablers: Strengthening Public Partnership in Research in the Digital Age

Aims

This project aims to strengthen patient and public involvement and engagement in primary care research at University College London (UCL), at a time when research processes and communication are becoming increasingly digital and influenced by artificial intelligence (AI). Digital tools can improve access and efficiency, but they can also unintentionally exclude people if involvement is not designed carefully. This project focuses on ensuring that digital and AI enabled approaches support, rather than weaken, meaningful partnership with patients and the public.

Objectives

· Identify key barriers and practical enablers to meaningful involvement in research in the digital age
· Support involvement of people at higher risk of digital exclusion, including older adults, carers, people with disabilities, and people from underserved communities
· Improve the accessibility and quality of research communication, including lay summaries and participant facing materials
· Increase researchers’ confidence and skills in inclusive communication and appropriate use of digital and AI supported tools
· Produce practical, transferable outputs to support inclusive involvement and engagement across the department

Approach

The project will centre on a half day interactive involvement and engagement workshop (11:00 to 15:30) The session will promote two way learning: public contributors will share lived experience and practical advice, while researchers will share research materials and examples of digital approaches. Contributors will be recruited via our two Experts by Experience networks, with additional outreach to community “bridge” contacts. We will welcome mixed digital confidence to support peer learning.