Definition of research study

1 October 2025

The defining research in local authorities guidance and decision tool is now available. 

If you use the guidance and decision tool, please share feedback by completing a short survey. 

14 May 2025

In collaboration with a project Steering Committee consisting of local authority officers, a public representative and colleagues from SCPH delivered by University of Southampton and Partners, we invited a panel of 60 colleagues from local authorities, who represent a range of job roles, directorates and geographical areas to contribute to a consensus definition of research in a local authority setting. 

For the first part of the project in September 2024 (Round One survey), we asked panellists to assess 24 potential definitions.   

Based on the responses we produced some updated definitions which panellists assessed via a second survey (Round Two) in November 2024.  

The project Steering Committee held a workshop in January 2025 where the survey responses were reviewed and a consensus definition, based on the responses, was agreed. 

We would like to thank everyone who was involved in this project, from those who expressed an interest, to those who completed both rounds of surveys. 

To support the definition of research being used in local authorities, we are currently finalising a decision tool and supporting guidance. This guidance will provide context to the definition and support local authorities in thinking about which activities would benefit from research governance or ethical review processes. It will also include links to further resources and support. 

Louise Hayes, Research Design Lead, and Laura Brown, Public Health Research Programme Manager, are showcasing the definition with a poster display at the R&D Forum Conference 2025 next week, and also at the Society for Social Medicine Annual Scientific Meeting 2025 in September! Alongside the poster displays, members of the Steering Committee will also be presenting the results at the HDRC annual event in June, and the South East Public Health annual conference.   

We would be keen to hear your feedback on the definition and whether it will be useful to you. Please email nihr.rss.publichealth@newcastle.ac.uk to share your thoughts.  

24 February 2025

Following the final steering committee workshop on 13 January we are delighted to announce that we have achieved a consensus definition of research for local authorities.  

We have shared the definition with those who took part in the project, and we will share the final definition, supporting guidance and further information in due course. 

Thank you to those who took part from local authorities across England and Scotland,  and the project steering committee  including colleagues from Specialist Centre for Public Health delivered by University of Southampton and Partners. 

We will be presenting this work at a number of upcoming events including the Local Government Association / Association of Directors of Public Health virtual conference in April, the Research and Development Forum in May, and the NIHR Health Determinants Research Collaborations annual conference in June. 

If you would like to learn more about the project, please contact Laura Brown, Public Health Research Programme Manager: laura.brown8@newcastle.ac.uk 

12 December 2024

In collaboration with colleagues in SCPH Southampton, we invited 60 participants from local authorities, who represent a range of job roles, directorates and geographical areas to participate. 

For the first part of the project in September 2024 (Round One survey), we asked participants to assess 24 potential definitions.  

Based on the responses we produced some updated definitions which our participants assessed via a second survey (Round Two) in November 2024. This survey has now closed, and we are currently analysing the responses.

The project Steering Committee will hold a workshop in January 2025 where the survey responses will be reviewed and a definition, or set of definitions, based on the responses will be agreed.

We hope to be able to share outputs from this project in February/March 2025.  

Thank you to everyone who is taking part in and supporting this project.

28 October 2024

What is ‘research’ in local authorities in the context of the wider determinants of health? 

In some local authorities, research is defined as projects that align with the Health Research Authority definition of research based on producing generalisable or transferable new knowledge (HRA, 2023), whereas others have a broader definition that includes a continuum of research-like activities including resident engagement and evaluation.   

The lack of a common definition between local authorities is hindering activity within, and between, councils to establish research infrastructure, robust governance and ethics processes, and research culture within local government. 

The NIHR RSS Specialist Centre for Public Health (SCPH) is undertaking a consensus project, known as a Delphi study, to agree a definition of research in local authority settings. 

We invited 60 participants from local authorities, who represent a range of job roles, directorates and geographical areas to participate. 

For the first part of the project in September (Round One survey), we asked participants to assess 24 initial definitions.  

In the second part of the project (Round Two survey), we will ask participants to assess refined definitions based on the outcomes from Round One. This will be circulated mid-November.  

The project Steering Committee will hold a workshop where final survey responses will be reviewed and a definition, or set of definitions agreed, in January 2025. 

We hope to be able to share outputs from this project in February/March 2025.  

31 July 2024 

What is ‘research’ in local authorities in the context of the wider determinants of health? The lack of a common definition is hindering activity to establish a robust and consistent research infrastructure, ethics and governance processes, and a research active culture. 

For this project, we are seeking input from people based in Local Authorities. We want their views on what ‘research’ in a local authority context means.  

Taking part will involve responding to an initial invitation to participate, and then, if selected, completing two further online questionnaires over several months. Each questionnaire should take no longer than 30-minutes to complete.  

We need to include a range of people working within Local Authorities in this project and are seeking representation from across directorates, job types and geographical areas. Current or previous involvement in research activities is not a requirement.   

Applications are now closed. If you want to take part, please complete this invitation to participate.