Page 18 - NCPHWR Annual Report 2017-18_Neat

Public Engagement & Involvement

Public Panel

Public involvement plays an integral
part in the research process at
Public Events NCPHWR. Each member of the
NCPHWR recognises the value of
Over the last year NCPHWR took part in public involvement, and it is now
a number of public engagement events commonplace that members of the
throughout Wales. This offered a unique public are included as partners in
opportunity to engage and share our research projects, with more co-
research and research findings with produced applications being made.
the public. The events attended by the
Centre varied, ranging from science NCPHWR have access to the SAIL
festivals to lecture presentations. Databank Consumer Panel, a panel made up of 16 members of the public who form
an advisory board for researchers. Over the past year, NCPHWR researchers have
Highlights in the event calendar accessed the panel on several occasions for various projects including; the NIHR
included the family focused Swansea funded, Green and Blue Spaces project (GBS). The GBS project consulted with the
Science Festival 2017. Held from the panel, in the very early stages of the project design process with the Panel providing
8 - 10 September at the National advice and guidance in relation to public benefit and how to build an effective public
th
th
Waterfront Museum, the event attracted engagement pathway. Since this initial consultation the project has been approved.
9,000 visitors over the two days. Future consultations with the Panel for the project have now been arranged.

In March 2017 “Super Science Saturday”,
again another family focused event, was Youth Panel
attended by over 1,900 visitors.
Young people’s views play a key part
in directing the research the NCPHWR
Let’s Talk About Data undertakes. Views are sourced through the
ALPHA ‘Young people’s Advisory Group that is
In July 2017 the ‘Let’s Talk About Data’ survey based within the Centre for the development
was launched by the Centre’s Public Engagement and evaluation of complex interventions for
Officer. The aim of the survey was to obtain the Public Health improvements (DECIPHer), a
Welsh population’s opinion of using anonymised NCPHWR collaboration Centre.
data for medical research. The survey was
distributed through many different community ALPHA is a great platform for
channels including local volunteering groups, developing research that is relevant to the
the SAIL Databank Consumer Panel and during youth of today. Young participants are able to make real contributions to UK public
community based events in local hospitals. The health policy and learn research techniques that will broaden their experiences and
survey, which had over 100 responses, has now enhance their job prospects. The group advise our researchers by discussing and
drawn to a close and the data once analysed will debating their views on public health topics and research the Centre carries out.
form the evidence base for the public engagement
strategy for the next two years.

13 14