Patient & Public Involvement & Engagement

At ARC South West, we believe research should be shaped by the people it is intended to benefit. Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement (PPIE) brings together researchers, patients, carers, service users and members of the public to work in partnership throughout the research process.

Public contributors help identify important research questions, improve the design and delivery of studies, and ensure research findings are relevant and accessible. Their lived experience helps make our research more meaningful, inclusive and impactful.

We are committed to involving patients, service users, carers, family members and the public in all aspects of our work. Our dedicated PPIE Team supports researchers and students to collaborate effectively with the public, ensuring research reflects the priorities, experiences and needs of the communities it aims to serve. The team also conducts and publishes research on effective approaches to public involvement in health and care research, policy and practice.

There are many ways to get involved, from joining advisory groups and reviewing research materials to shaping research priorities and sharing findings. Whether you are new to research or have previous experience, your contribution can make a difference.

We also support our adult Patient and Public Engagement Group (PenPEG) and Bristol’s Young People’s Advisory Group (YPAG), whose volunteer members work alongside researchers to help keep our research relevant, inclusive and responsive to community needs

Find out more below about how we work with patients and the public, and how you can get involved.