Abstract
This article offers reflections and experiences of public engagement in a National Institute for Health Research funded study about the mental health effects of Universal Credit.
PJ’s poem powerfully illustrates his experiences of Universal Credit (UC). In this article, we outline our approach to public involvement and engagement (PIE) in a mixed-method, multi-site study about the mental health effects of UC funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR).
Public involvement in research is defined by NIHR as ‘an active partnership between members of the public and researchers in the research process’. We view public engagement as a social practice of dialogue and learning between researchers and the public;1 at its heart is the core value of social justice, shaped by wider societal developments towards realising citizen empowerment.2 We adopted the term PIE in preference to the more commonly used patient and public involvement, given that our study involves citizens/people with experience of UC and staff supporting them. Deciding who our relevant ‘publics’ are, and how we meaningfully involve them in the research is evolving over time. Here, we describe and reflect on the ongoing process of PIE in the context of this four-year research project.
PJ’s poem powerfully illustrates his experiences of Universal Credit (UC). In this article, we outline our approach to public involvement and engagement (PIE) in a mixed-method, multi-site study about the mental health effects of UC funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR).
Public involvement in research is defined by NIHR as ‘an active partnership between members of the public and researchers in the research process’. We view public engagement as a social practice of dialogue and learning between researchers and the public;1 at its heart is the core value of social justice, shaped by wider societal developments towards realising citizen empowerment.2 We adopted the term PIE in preference to the more commonly used patient and public involvement, given that our study involves citizens/people with experience of UC and staff supporting them. Deciding who our relevant ‘publics’ are, and how we meaningfully involve them in the research is evolving over time. Here, we describe and reflect on the ongoing process of PIE in the context of this four-year research project.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 209-212 |
| Number of pages | 4 |
| Journal | Perspectives in Public Health |
| Volume | 142 |
| Issue number | 4 |
| Early online date | 14 Jul 2022 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Jul 2022 |
Keywords
- Humans
- Mental Disorders/therapy
- Mental Health
- Public Health
- Environmental and Occupational Health
