Public Health Engagement Leads (PHELs)

A PHEL facilitates connections between local authorities, HDRC's, Local Authority Research Practitioners (LARPs) and the SCPH by promoting the value of being a research active organisation. The post provides an opportunity to advocate for and develop partnership work in order to build stronger links with appropriate expertise and infrastructure. 

PHELs work across a number of local authorities reflecting local networks and collaborations. 

PHELs have 0.1FTE protected time from their local authority role to connect, promote and advocate for research across their geographical area. 

In December 2024, we agreed funding for our first 8 PHELs, a further 6 PHELs in June 2025, and in our January 2026 call we appointed an additional 8 PHELs, representing over £400,000 investment into local authorities. 

All of our PHELs work in roles tackling the wider determinants of health and have strong leadership skills working in senior public health, policy, and community development roles. Their ability to facilitate connections with appropriate research expertise and infrastructure will help in making significant steps in the development of capacity and capability for research in local government. 

Our next PHEL call is due to open on Monday 27 April 2026.

Role requirements   

• Have strong interpersonal and motivational skills, providing robust and visible leadership to work with and influence stakeholders (including the local authority workforce, elected members, VCSEs, community representatives and the public; and the SCPH, NIHR and other research funders and organisations) at all levels. 

• Can identify, develop, and maintain effective relationships with relevant partners and stakeholders, including senior leaders, local authority colleagues and the public, to promote and support research in local government. 

• Can be an ambassador for the NIHR RSS Specialist Centre for Public Health with the ability to bring colleagues together to work collaboratively for the overall benefit of the wider research community. 

Key responsibilities: 

• Provide leadership and advice on developing opportunities for public health research, becoming a key contact for the local authorities in their specified geography. 

• Champion a culture where the use of research evidence is at the centre of decision making in local government.  

• Identify and enable opportunities for research collaboration within and between local authorities, regionally and nationally.  

• Use new and existing networks to promote and facilitate access to the support available from the SCPH, wider NIHR infrastructure and opportunities for research funding and training.  

• Foster an inclusive environment, engage the strengths of diverse people and communities and improve the relevance and quality of research and practice.

• Support the achievement of the SCPHs strategic priorities by sharing expertise, local knowledge, and examples of good practice, and participate in relevant SCPH regional and national networks and events.