Network launch event - recap

Left to right Kirsty Austin, Tara Cahill, Rosie Crichton, Paige Hurlstone, Ashley Adamson, Liz Cox, Zoe Doran, Lorna Leaston, Sara Karrar, Liz Harper and Mac Emmerson.  

Wednesday 6 November saw us launch the Local Authority Research Practitioner (LARP) Network.

The day was well attended, with 12 LARPs who are in post and 16 colleagues from local authorities who have been successfully awarded funding in attendance, as well as colleagues from the Specialist Centre for Public Health.

As we know, networking can be a challenging task, so the day began with thoughtful activities to encourage connections and open neuropathways for the broader topics later in the day. 

Delegates heard from four current LARPs and one former LARP who shared their learning and experiences on some interesting topics including working with under-served communities, learning from a failed funding bid and public health research careers. The workshop element of the day focused on developing a description of the LARP role using example elevator pitch structures, which delegates found equally challenging and enjoyable. 

Professor Ashley Adamson, Director, said: “To feel so much energy and see so much enthusiasm in the room was fantastic. It’s incredibly important that we foster a culture of sharing and learning in the LARP Network, we learn from what others have done well and from sharing our own experiences. Thank you to everyone who came, I can’t wait to hear about your progress when we next get together.”  

Mac Emmerson, Public Health Research Programme Manager who leads the LARP Network added: “I echo Ashley’s thoughts, it was a brilliant day, and we have so much learning already to take forward as the LARP Network continues to grow.” 

Reflections from Dr Becky Clarke

When I was asked if I could present on ‘Networks: Find them, create them, benefit from them’, my first initial thought was ‘what if I get this wrong?!’ But our roles are all about cultivating relationships, and finding ways of working with our council colleagues, academics and community organisations. It was clear that everyone at the LARP Network launch event is passionate about supporting a research culture within their respective local authority and my worries disappeared.  

Some of the key things I took away from other speakers was the importance of building trusting relationships, for building your network and developing in your role. And the beauty of the LARP role means that you are all open to new opportunities and this network will be a great place for us to share, grow and develop together.  

The Elevator Pitch was a challenging workshop - in a good way! It was great to understand and learn the different ways we present ourselves in our local authorities, sharing hints and tips on what we have found works, and on the things that have fallen flat. The language we use is key to our engagement and is something that needs to be carefully thought about.  

Reflecting on my past experience as a LARP, this new LARP network is going to become an invaluable part of the NIHR RSS Specialist Centre for Public Health. I can see the support it will give to LARPs and line managers, both new and current, with continual personal development at the core. I wish this support was available when I was a LARP! 

I am excited to see how everyone evolves in their roles and look forward to supporting you all! 

Resources and slides

Welcome - Professor Ashley Adamson

Starting out as a LARP - Tara Cahill - Brighton and Hove City Council

Gypsy, Roma and Traveller increasing participation in research project - Paige Hurlstone - Kent County Council

My role, mapping and the impact of an unsuccessful HDRC bid - Rosie Crichton - East Sussex County Council

Comms workshop: LARP elevator pitch - Alex Rodger, Communications Manager and Nicola Sheen, Public Health Research Training Manager

Elevator pitch structure examples

My tips to impactful research - Dr Sara Karrar - Norfolk County Council

Networks: find them, create them, benefit from them - Becky Clarke - NIHR HDRC Cumberland

What to expect next - Mac Emmerson