Patient and public engagement with research

Patient and public involvement is the active engagement of members of the public in research projects.

Involving and listening to different people in our research can bring valuable insights into the way we work.

It allows us to:

  • involve the public in research that may have an impact on health services

  • conduct research which is patient-focused

  • use the knowledge, experience and voices of members of the public to guide research decisions

How we involve patients and the public

Our research focuses on health and fitness across the lifespan so you don’t have to be living with a condition to get involved.

Examples of activities include:

  • working with members of our team to develop research ideas that matter to you

  • attending meetings and giving feedback on future plans for research

  • using your experience to give feedback and help to guide our current studies

  • working closely with individual researchers to consult on, and guide, funding applications

We will begin recruiting members of the public to join our patient and public involvement panel in summer 2021.

Previous projects

Three University of the third group members and a researcher on a zoom call discussing a research project
Participating in studies and knowledge exchange sessions has made a huge difference to my awareness of ageing, muscle wastage, exercise and nutrition. I've benefited from the feedback and hopefully contributed to meaningful future research.
Maureen Taylor
University of the 3rd Age group leader
Two masters athletes running down road during a running event in woods
Connections we've made with the British Masters Athletics Federation have helped enormously in creating a guide to healthy and active ageing for master athletes. The collaboration made the guide more relevant for athletes.
Professor Hans Degens
Professor of Muscle Physiology