Training webinars

Webinar: Using AI in qualitative research

📅 Wednesday 8 October

🕧 10 to 11am 

Dr Francis McKay will introduce the topic of how to use AI, specifically large language models (such as ChatGPT), in qualitative research, with the aim of building confidence so you might start to think about how you can use some of these tools yourself. 

Francis is a medical anthropologist and lead researcher at Gateshead HDRC. Francis has a wide ranging background with key interests in digital technologies, including the social and ethical impacts of using AI in health and wellbeing research. 

Webinar: Storytelling for researchers

📅 Wednesday 15 October

🕧 10 to 11:15am  

In this webinar, we'll explore how imagery, empathy, and curiosity become your tools for creating that crucial "way in" for your audience. All too often, audiences are left on the outside, unable to see the value or potential of your projects. After attending, you’ll be able to help them understand, access, and resonate with it instead. Duncan Yellowlees presents this session for those who want their work to land well with the people who need to hear it.

Webinar: Introducing the 'evidence pie' with HDRC Rhondda Cynon Taf

📅 Wednesday 22 October

🕧 10 to 11am  

Zoe Lancelott and Rhianydd Davies from NIHR Health Determinants Research Collaboration Rhondda Cynon Taf introduce the 'evidence pie' as a way of demonstrating the different types of information, insight and data a local authority may have as categories of evidence for research. The evidence pie tool has helped staff and elected members understand why having a range of evidence is so important, and our speakers will take you through how this is helping to build a culture of evidence-informed decision-making in their council.

Webinar: Making research engaging 

📅 Thursday 6 November

🕧 11am to 12 noon 

Dr Michael Johansen offers guidance and examples of how to make the research process interesting and how to tell a great story about it afterwards. Whether you're trying to engage community members to participate, or want to convince others that research has real-life benefits, Michael will talk through his methods of harnessing curiosity.  

Webinar: Creating a public and community involvement and engagement strategy

📅 Wednesday 26 November

🕧 10 to 11am

In this webinar, we will explore the benefits of creating a public and community involvement and engagement strategy for public health research in a local authority setting. Opened by Donna White, Senior Research Manager at NIHR, we will hear from two local authorities who have taken different approaches to creating their involvement and engagement strategy and what they learned through the process. Our speakers will share their top tips to getting started on creating an involvement and engagement strategy and there will be time to ask questions to the panel. 

Webinar: The benefits of evidence-based decision making 

📅 Thursday 4 December

🕧 10 to 11am 

Dr Susan Hampshaw explains and give examples of the benefits of evidence informed decision making and how evidence can be used to create policies that work best for the residents of a local authority. 

Webinar: Designing ethical research

📅 Thursday 11 December

🕧 11am to 12 noon

Dr Deborah Harrison is a Research Design Methodologist based in the Specialist Centre for Public Health. In this webinar, Deborah will outline key principles of ethical research including informed consent, confidentiality and avoidance of harm. Deborah's background is in applied public services research. She has worked with local authorities, VCSE organisations, social care providers, NHS and emergency services. 

Webinar: Introduction to mixed methods

📅 Wednesday 14 January 2026

🕧 2 to 2:45pm

Dr Deborah Harrison will provide an introduction to mixed methods research including different study designs, challenges and considerations. Deborah is a Research Design Methodologist based in the NIHR RSS Specialist Centre for Public Health. Her background is in applied public services research, and she has worked with local authorities, VCSE organisations, social care providers, NHS and emergency services. 

Catch up: Introduction to qualitative methods

Dr Charlotte Rothwell and Dr Lauren Hall deliver a introductory session which starts to demystify the world of qualitative research. 

Catch up: Evaluating public and community involvement

This session explores the use of a range of methods to evaluate public and community involvement. The models explored in this session are Ripple Effects Mapping, Theory of Change and PIRIT. 

Catch up: How do we use lived experience to create research?

Dr Helen Munro Wild explains how real world information, routine data and accounts of lived experience can be used to create a research project. 

Catch up: Introduction to health economics

Dr Cristina Fernandez-Garcia delivers an introductory session into using health economics to understand the cost effectiveness of an intervention or programme. 

Catch up: An introduction to qualitative data analysis

Dr Lauren Hall delivers an introductory session which starts to demystify the world of qualitative research. 

Catch up: Ethical practice in public involvement and engagement

In this session, Dr Felicity Shenton will take you through the key aspects of ensuring your public involvement and engagement is ethical and meaningful.

Felicity is an extremely experienced Public and Community Involvement Manager, with a background in participatory research, peer research, co-production and service user involvement in education, research and service improvement. In this session, Dr Felicity Shenton will take you through the key aspects of ensuring your public involvement and engagement is ethical and meaningful.

Catch up: How do I read a paper?

Dr Helen Munro Wild steps you through the process of reading a research article, highlighting the key areas to focus on. 

Catch up: Introduction to Research Inclusion (RI)

Professor G.J. Melendez-Torres will take you through an introduction to RI, covering aspects such as equality, diversity, and how to address barriers to participation.