The ‘Life Cycle Project’ - Supporting the development of new research projects

The Life Cycle Project aims to:

• Ensure local authority colleagues receive high-quality support and guidance at every stage of the research process, from an initial idea to funding

• Measure impact and provide evidence of culture change, including the growing adoption of research-informed practices across both local authorities

• Identify opportunities for personal and professional development, including upskilling and improved working practices

Developing the model

The Life Cycle Project was created by the HDRC South Tees team to ensure HDRC South Tees meets the needs of local authority colleagues. Two co-design workshops involving Organisational Development (OD) Business Partners and the wider team identified optimal points in the journey to check in with colleagues. This collaborative approach ensured the model reflected real needs and insights from the ground.

The project was carefully designed to ensure consistent communication and support, including sharing resources that benefit colleagues.

Impact is captured through two structured surveys and a closing interview to gather feedback on the process in real time and to understand the skills development taking place.

The model has now been launched and is in early stages of implementation.

Stages in the Life Cycle Project

A cycle is triggered when a new research idea is submitted through a dedicated contact form. This is sent to the team and assigned to a research coordinator who works in their respective directorate.  

• Stage 1 – Initial meeting

The research coordinator meets with the LA colleague to capture information about the research idea and identify support needed. They are asked to complete a survey outlining their existing research experience.

• Stage 2 – Further development meetings

These development meetings focus on expanding on initial ideas and refining these into research question/s and defining methodologies. Meetings also explore collaboration opportunities with other service areas/community partners and create the opportunity for the research coordinator to explain how the process works with regards to support from the HDRC and academic colleagues, before sourcing a suitable academic colleague/team.

The research coordinators also assign timescales, share any case studies from previous research coordination work and help set the scene for their journey.

Any training needs or support opportunities arising in these meetings are shared with the OD team as part of our data collection.

• Stage 3 – Linking with academic colleagues

The research coordinator organises meetings with academic colleagues as needed. The OD team checks in with the LA colleague to see how they are finding the process and to flag upcoming training opportunities and any helpful resources.

• Stage 4 – Funding bid development

Further meetings are held with academic partners to develop the research idea and build a team. Academic partners offer different levels of support depending on the experience of the LA colleague.

• Stage 5 – Application submission

Confirmation is sent by academic partners that the application has been submitted, or the project lead if the application has been submitted directly by the local authority. This is determined by funder requirements and which organisation is eligible to apply as the lead organisation.

The research coordinator keeps in touch with colleagues whilst they await the outcome, giving them the opportunity to ask questions or request additional support. LA colleagues are provided information about any relevant training they can access.

• Stage 6/7/8 – Outcome meeting and resubmission if appropriate.

The research coordinator meets with the local authority colleague to discuss if the funding bid was successful, or unsuccessful, and what the next steps are. If the bid was unsuccessful, they discuss resubmission options and next steps.

• Stage 9 – Close case

The colleague is asked to complete a survey to share their experience of the support offered and any skills they have gained during the life cycle project.

A closing interview is conducted by the OD Business Partners to collect in-depth feedback. This information is used to understand how well the process is working, where culture change is happening and where improvements could be made.

Where appropriate, case studies are captured, written up and shared. These enable the HDRC to showcase evidence of transformation and identify where colleagues are using research-informed methods, adopting evidence-based decision-making, and building capacity within their roles.

The Life Cycle Project will be piloted for a year, then evaluated to see if changes need to be made.

For more information, please contact HDRC@Middlesbrough.gov.uk.

This case study was prepared with support from NIHR RSS Specialist Centre for Public Health delivered by Newcastle University and Partners. With thanks to NIHR Health Determinants Research South Tees for providing the content for this case study.