Set the purpose
Identify which decisions could benefit from public insight and what contributors can genuinely influence.
Planning public involvement
How to involve people in research
Plan meaningful opportunities for people to shape research questions, decisions, materials and the way findings are shared.
Start with purpose
Choose an approach that fits the work
Public involvement is not a fixed set of levels. A project may bring together several approaches at different stages, depending on the question, the decisions that are open and the interests of the people involved.
For example, a small group of contributors may work alongside a research team throughout a project, while a wider group is invited to comment on a particular part of the study. In some cases, members of the public may lead a specific stage of the work. The important point is to be clear about the purpose, the scope for influence and the support available.
Involvement can help teams test whether a research question matters in everyday life, improve the clarity of study information, identify practical barriers and make findings more useful to the people affected by them.
How we work
Build involvement into the project
Good preparation helps everyone understand the purpose of their contribution and how it can make a difference.
Invite fairly
Consider whose experiences are relevant, who may be missing and how barriers to taking part can be reduced.
Support the work
Provide clear information, accessible ways to contribute and time to discuss unfamiliar research language.
Record and respond
Keep track of contributions, explain decisions and share what changed or could not change.
What to consider
Practical foundations for meaningful involvement
Prepare a realistic plan
Decide why involvement is needed, what will be discussed, what resources are available and how decisions will be communicated.
Explore planning guidanceMake meetings work for people
Meetings are only one option, but thoughtful formats, clear agendas and accessible information can make a substantial difference.
Things to think about when organising a meetingUse plain English
Explain the question, methods and possible decisions without unnecessary technical language. Give people time to review information.
Plain English summariesReview the experience
Ask what helped, what created barriers and what should be different next time. Share learning with everyone involved.
Explore practice examplesRelated guidance
Find the detail you need
These resources expand on planning, support and feedback for different parts of the research process.
Information for researchers
Guidance to help research teams plan, deliver and reflect on public involvement.
Find out more →Research commissioning
Considerations for involving people when research priorities and programmes are being developed.
Find out more →Feedback guidance
Practical prompts for closing the loop and showing contributors how their input was considered.
Find out more →Common questions
Planning involvement
When should public involvement begin?
Start as early as possible, while the research question, design and priorities are still open to change. Early involvement gives contributors a clearer opportunity to influence the direction of the work.
How many people should be involved?
There is no single number. Think about the decisions to be made, the range of relevant experiences and the practical support needed for a constructive conversation.
Do all contributors need research experience?
No. Lived experience and everyday knowledge are valuable forms of expertise. Teams should explain research concepts clearly and provide support where it is useful.
Are meetings the only way to involve people?
No. Depending on the work, contributors may prefer written comments, individual conversations, short workshops or other accessible formats. Discuss what works for the group.
What should happen after people give feedback?
Record the feedback, explain how it informed decisions and be open where a suggestion cannot be taken forward. This response is an essential part of respectful involvement.
Where can I find definitions of research terms?
The jargon buster explains commonly used terms in clearer language.
Need a starting point?
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