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A Public Research Champion (PRC) is a volunteer who is passionate about promoting research to patients, members of the public and healthcare professionals.
A Public Research Champion (PRC) is a volunteer who is passionate about promoting research to patients, members of the public and healthcare professionals.
There is no minimum requirement for time spent in the role or ongoing commitment. Volunteers can do as much or as little as they like depending on how, when and where they are available. Through their work they help Trusts to inform patients of research studies in which they may be eligible to participate.
The role of the PRC could be any of the following:
Help increase research awareness and involvement at NHS Trusts, GP practices and beyond
Be the point of contact for patients and staff
Use their expertise to suggest improvements - this could be anything from talking about care pathways to written communications
Act as the lay voice in conversations with researchers, raising issues that are important to patients, carers and the public
Attend meetings as a lay or patient representative
Participate in media activities and be the face of the patient involvement in research.
East of England RRDN supports the development of PRCs in the East of England Region through regular networking events. We can provide support to Trusts in the recruitment of PRCs and the development of the role within the Trust.
For more information visit the NIHR's Research Champions Page
PRCs: Leading the way in public engagement
PRCs: Leading the way in public engagement
Trusts across the region have been working on projects with PRCs to help raise the profile of research with staff, patients and the local community.
PRCs at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust have produced some fantastic, patient friendly information, making their own information leaflets. They have also written articles championing research that have been published in the Eastern Daily Press and the Trust's Pulse magazine. PRCs also hosted stands around the Trust to showcase their questionnaire which hopes to broaden the conversation around research and assess staff and patients awareness of research.
At Royal Papworth Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, PRCs have been taking their work out into the community. One PRC held a session in a local library to raise the profile of research. The hospital also hosted a fete where people could find out about taking part in research and what PRCs do to further the cause.
North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust held a "thank you" event for everyone that took part in a glaucoma trial. This was so successful, it was picked up by other trusts to show their gratitude to their volunteers. Teams have created a new role-play training programme for those PRCs; who have no first hand experience of research, this will help them understand the process and empathise with participants. They have also developed a workshop delivered to local schools to educate young people about the importance of research.
Meet some of our fantastic Public Research Champions
Meet some of our fantastic Public Research Champions
Ron Flewett
Ron Flewett
Ron is very grateful to previous trial participants, as it was thanks to them that he received a new treatment for his lung condition.
He is now determined to follow their example, and to do his bit for furthering research. He believes that the more potential cures and treatments that are investigated, the more hope there is for those with a condition that is currently difficult to treat.
David Smith
David Smith
David became a keen advocate for research and a prominent PRC after he had surgery on a dissected artery.
David is very thankful to the years of surgical research that helped save his life. Being a PRC enables him to give something back and help people in a similar situation to himself.
He believes his position as a patient allows him to offer a different perspective on research when meeting with health professionals, and as such can help them to make sure different experiences and accessibility needs are taken into account when recruiting new research participants.
Emma
Emma
Emma has been a Public Research Champion at Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (BHFT) since 2023.
She has taken part in multiple sclerosis (MS) research for seven years, and was a patient expert voice for a National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) hearing for a treatment she had as part of a trial.
In her role as a PRC, Emma helps to promote research and encourage members of the public to take part and to share their views. She talks to the public about her own experience taking part in clinical trials, attends research events, and proofreads participant information sheets and posters.
Having spent the last seven years participating in research, Emma has lived experience of the benefits of taking part and is keen to spread that awareness through her role.
We currently have Public Research Champions working in partnership with 10 of the region's Trusts
We currently have Public Research Champions working in partnership with 10 of the region's Trusts
Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust
East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust
East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust
Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Norfolk Community Health and Care NHS Trust
North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust
Royal Papworth Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Queen Elizabeth Hospital, King's Lynn, NHS Foundation Trust
Further information
Further information
Public Research Champions Handbook
Public Research Champions NHS Staff Guide
To find out more about Public Research Champions contact Anne Kirby, PPIE Manager, by emailing her on anne.kirby@nihr.ac.uk or calling 01603 287670.
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