Marking three years of the HRA Shared Commitment to Public Involvement

This week we’re celebrating the third anniversary of the launch of the NHS Health Research Authority (HRA) Shared Commitment to Public Involvement in health and social care research.

Fuse signed the pledge in May 2024 in partnership with the NIHR (National Institute for Health and Care Research) and other leading organisations to improve the quality of public involvement throughout the health and social care research sector.

Public involvement means the public is involved in the design and conduct of research in a meaningful way in line with best practice principles and the UK Standards for Public Involvement.

Fuse’s commitment to public involvement and engagement

Fuse has a dedicated Public Involvement and Engagement Manager, Ella Anderson, based at Newcastle University, and a Public Involvement and Engagement Group (PIEG) which is co-chaired by a Fuse Public Partner.

There are more than 80 members on the Fuse Public Partner Network and a diversity of membership and experience across the network, including age range, employment status, ethnicity, health status, plus a variety of levels of PIE experience from novice to experienced. As well as public partners, membership consists of community connectors.

Here our Fuse Public Partners talk briefly about themselves, why they are interested in public health, and their involvement with Fuse research.

The Fuse podcast ‘Public Health Research and Me’ is led and hosted by the Centre's public partners to bridge the gap that sometimes occurs between research and public audiences.

Members of Fuse’s Public Partner Network were given the opportunity to take part in training with experienced science communicator and producer, in which they learned how to prepare, record, edit, share and promote a podcast.

Nine episodes have been released with over 750 unique listens. The podcast has international reach with listeners from the USA, Australia, India, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, Japan, Germany, Italy, Norway, Canada and beyond.

Read about the experience of one of our Public Partners hosting the podcast.

On the third anniversary of the Shared Commitment, Fuse Director, Professor Sheena Ramsay, said:

"Involving people with lived experience in health and social care research is both a rewarding and essential aspect of our work. Their unique insights bring an authenticity and depth to research that cannot be replicated, helping us to ensure that the issues we address, the methods we use, and the solutions we propose are both meaningful and practical for the people most affected.

"We also recognise the challenges – ensuring that these collaborations are truly equitable, providing essential support for meaningful participation, and embedding this approach within traditional research structures. Collective efforts such as the  'Shared Commitment to Public Involvement' are important steps towards addressing these challenges.

"Looking to the future, my vision is for lived experience involvement to become a cornerstone of research, not an optional extra. By nurturing long-term, respectful partnerships, and fostering inclusive environments, we can ensure that co-production becomes a norm. This isn't just about improving research outcomes; it's about redefining what it means to do research with and for communities."

Ella Anderson, Fuse Public Involvement and Engagement Manager, added: "Fuse is proud to show its commitment to public involvement, placing it at the centre of public health research in the North East and Cumbria.

"Inclusive and meaningful public involvement is crucial. It empowers people and communities to shape important decisions that directly impact daily life, fostering transparency, accountability, and ultimately, trust in health research. It ensures diverse perspectives are considered, leading to more informed and equitable decisions that reflect the needs and the values of the communities research is designed to serve."

Last modified: Fri, 14 Mar 2025 13:15:55 GMT