For members of the public
Find a clear introduction to opportunities and the questions that can help you decide whether a role is right for you.
Explore opportunities →Communities and connections
Find a route into public involvement
Communities bring together people with lived experience, research teams and organisations that want research to respond to real-world priorities.
Working alongside people
Connection makes involvement more relevant
Public involvement works best when people can find clear, supported ways to contribute their perspectives and when teams are ready to listen, respond and share decisions.
This page gathers routes for finding opportunities, learning about organisations that support involvement, and understanding how communities can shape research questions, materials and communication.
Choose a starting point
Ways to connect
Use the route that best reflects what you need: an opportunity, a local connection or a practical source of support.
What good connection includes
Practical foundations for inclusive involvement
01 / Clear purpose
Explain the opportunity
Set out what the work involves, what may be influenced and what contributors can expect from the process.
02 / Accessible routes
Reduce barriers
Offer information in useful formats, allow time for questions and consider what support people may need.
03 / Respectful exchange
Value different knowledge
Create room for lived experience alongside research expertise, without assuming one perspective speaks for everyone.
04 / Visible follow-through
Share what happened
Record decisions, provide feedback and explain how contributions informed the next stage of work.
A useful approach
From first contact to shared learning
A thoughtful process helps people understand their role and helps teams make the most of public insight.
Describe the need
Make the topic, role and likely commitment understandable before asking anyone to contribute.
Reach widely
Use more than one route where possible and consider which perspectives may otherwise be missed.
Support contribution
Provide relevant context, accessible materials and a clear point for questions during the work.
Reflect and respond
Share decisions, acknowledge learning and explain how people’s input was considered.
Common questions
Communities FAQ
Do I need research experience to get involved?
No. Public involvement values people’s experience, perspectives and knowledge of what matters in everyday life. A role should explain any support or background information available.
What kinds of activities might contributors do?
Activities can include discussing priorities, reviewing information for clarity, helping shape study plans, considering recruitment approaches or contributing to how findings are shared.
How can I decide whether an opportunity is suitable?
Ask about the purpose, expected time, format, support available and how decisions will be made. It is reasonable to request information before agreeing to take part.
Can organisations use community connections to plan involvement?
Yes. Connections can help teams learn from organisations and networks already supporting people with relevant experience. Teams should be clear about the purpose of contact and avoid treating one group as representative of everyone.
What should research teams provide to contributors?
Teams should offer clear information, accessible communication, appropriate support and feedback about how contributions were used. Guidance for planning this work is available in the resource centre.
Where can I learn more about public involvement?
Start with Find out more or browse the resource centre for practical guidance and reference material.
Need a starting point?
Email InvolvestoryAsk about a community route
Send a concise description of what you are looking for and the stage your work has reached. Involvestory will help you identify relevant material on this site.