Blog: Using Public Health Grassroots Award funding

Reflections from my placement

My placement provided a valuable opportunity to gain first-hand experience of public health research and to contribute to a live research project exploring the experiences of researchers working with children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).

I started the placement feeling slightly apprehensive about stepping into an academic research environment, however, by the end of the placement, I had developed new research skills, increased my confidence in qualitative analysis and gained a much deeper understanding of how evidence is generated to inform public health policy and practice.

The short course I completed, brought together the practical experience I had gained during the placement and deepened my understanding of qualitative research approaches.

Getting started

One of the highlights of my first day was learning about thematic analysis and qualitative research methods. Through practical examples and discussions, I began to see how approaches used in academic research could be applied to challenges faced in public health practice. It was also reassuring to discover that many of the concepts connected closely with my existing studies and professional experience.

I was introduced to the SEND project, which would become the focus of my placement. The project explored the experiences of public health researchers working with children and young people with SEND, and I would support the qualitative analysis of survey responses collected as part of the study.

Learning the research process

As the placement progressed, I was introduced to NVivo software and learned how researchers organise, code and analyse qualitative data. This was a new area for me and provided valuable insight into the practical side of qualitative research.

Attending PHIRST team meetings allowed me to observe how research projects develop from initial ideas through to funded evaluations. I learned more about the NIHR, who fund PHIRST, as well as the diverse range of interventions PHIRSTs evaluate.

The projects discussed covered a range of public health priorities, including gambling-related harm, support for prison leavers, lifestyle interventions, oral health improvement programmes and services supporting vulnerable populations. These discussions reinforced how closely public health research aligns with the complex issues faced by local authorities and communities.

Building confidence in qualitative analysis

A significant part of my placement involved coding survey responses for the SEND project.

Working alongside Assistant Professor Marie Murphy, I coded a sample of responses independently before comparing my analysis with hers. This helped me understand how researchers make coding decisions and highlighted the importance of consistency and critical reflection throughout the analysis process.

As my confidence grew, I continued coding the remaining survey responses and developed a stronger understanding of how qualitative data can be interpreted to identify meaningful themes and patterns. It was rewarding to see how individual responses could contribute to a wider understanding of researchers' experiences and help inform future recommendations.

Alongside the coding work, I had the opportunity to meet a number of researchers and public health professionals, learning about their career journeys and experiences working within academia. These conversations provided valuable insight into the many different pathways available within public health research.

Moving from data to findings

Using NVivo, I learned how coded data is brought together into a coding matrix, allowing researchers to review participant quotes, identify emerging themes and develop coherent findings. I was responsible for reviewing the data, summarising key messages and contributing to the development of a coding summary document.

This stage helped me appreciate how qualitative data is transformed into actionable insights. It demonstrated how rigorous analysis can provide evidence to inform policy, improve services and support future research.

The experience strengthened my understanding of wider public health evaluation approaches, including logic models, stakeholder engagement and evaluability assessments, all of which play an important role in ensuring that interventions can be effectively assessed and improved.

Looking back

Looking back, the placement exceeded my expectations. Not only did it provide practical experience of qualitative research methods, but it also highlighted the strong links between academic research and public health practice.

Through the placement, I developed skills in:

• qualitative research methods and thematic analysis

• qualitative coding using NVivo

• identifying and interpreting themes within data

• public health evaluation approaches

• understanding how evidence informs decision-making

Most importantly, I had the opportunity to contribute to a live research project with the potential to influence future practice and support researchers working with children and young people with SEND.

I am extremely grateful to the PHIRST team for their support, encouragement and willingness to share their expertise throughout the placement. The experience has strengthened my confidence in research and provided valuable knowledge that I will continue to apply throughout my public health career.