Public and patient involvement and engagement (PPIE)
At Oxford Population Health, we put people at the centre of our research to ensure it is relevant and beneficial to those who need it most. We also share our scientific achievements with the wider public through interactive experiences, enlightening conversations, and co-production of videos and animations.
We describe all of these activities as public and patient involvement and engagement (PPIE). Consulting and engaging with patients and the public is central to our purpose to lead human health forward, locally and globally.
Why is this important?
Patients and the public are experts in their own right. Involving them in research leads to better outcomes for everyone.
- For research: lived experience makes studies more relevant, ethical, accessible and inclusive.
- For public contributors: getting involved builds confidence, knowledge and access to health information.
- For researchers: working with the people who benefit from research deepens understanding and strengthens connection to the communities they serve.
- For accountability: research is largely funded by public money, and funders increasingly expect meaningful PPIE throughout the research cycle.
Hear from our researchers and public contributors
What PPIE Means for Our Research
Hear from our researchers about how working with diverse communities gives them insight into real-world needs, strengthens the relevance and inclusivity of their studies, and helps them design research that is meaningful, ethical and grounded in lived experience.
Why public contributors matter
Hear from our public contributors about how sharing their lived experiences, perspectives and questions helps researchers see issues in new ways and ensures studies reflect the realities of diverse communities.
PPIE in practice
Public engagement activities help us share evidence clearly and support people to make informed decisions. This explainer video on statins and side effects is one example of this work in action and was co‑created through focus groups involving members of the public, researchers and animators.
Our public advisory panel
Our Public Advisory Panel brings together people with a range of experiences — including former research participants and those new to research — to help shape the department's work. Panel members provide advice and guidance on everything from initial study proposals to how research findings can influence policy and improve health.
You can contribute by email, conference call or at occasional face-to-face meetings, and choose which requests to respond to based on your availability and interests.
As a panel member you might:
- review the language used in questionnaires and information leaflets
- help ensure proposed research methods are acceptable to participants
- comment on research proposals
- advise on ways to increase participation in research
- suggest ways to share research findings with the public
Get involved
If you are a member of the public interested in contributing to our research, our PPIE team is here to help. Our departmental public advisory group provides advice on a range of topics. Some of our research projects have dedicated public advisory groups to reflect the views of communities directly affected by the research, including the ASCEND PLUS trial and the HDR UK‑funded project Transforming Data for Trials.
Email us to learn more, ask a question, or start a conversation.
Current Opportunities
If you're interested in getting involved in our research, a number of projects are currently looking for public contributors. Each is at a different stage and welcomes a range of perspectives.
