Public and Patient Involvement and Engagement (PPIE) means actively involving patients, carers and the public in the research we do — not doing research for them, but working with them.
This Research Appreciation Day, we are celebrating co-production and the vital role that PPIE plays in shaping better, more inclusive research.
In Bradford, where communities are diverse and health inequalities remain a key challenge, meaningful involvement of local people is particularly important. PPIE helps ensure research is relevant, culturally appropriate and responsive to the needs of communities across the district.
Working in partnership with local communities is essential in a city like Bradford. Lived experience provides vital insight into the barriers people face when accessing care and participating in research. PPIE helps ensure research is inclusive, accessible and reflective of Bradford’s population, supporting efforts to reduce health inequalities.
In January 2026, we launched our Public and Patient Involvement Group at the Commercial Research Delivery Centre (CRDC). The group plays a key role in shaping our work by providing feedback on community-facing materials such as leaflets, websites and event content.
We are also developing an events calendar to connect with communities across Bradford. This includes working closely with community organisations, faith groups and local networks to reach underserved communities and ensure a diverse range of voices are heard.
Our mobile research vehicle enables us to take research directly into communities — raising awareness and supporting participation in research studies. We have already attended events such as the Bradford Mela and engagement activity in Bradford City Centre.
Shummel Uddin, Co-production and Community Engagement Manager, Bradford and West Yorkshire Commercial Research Delivery Centre, said:
“PPIE and co-production are essential to delivering meaningful research. Research needs to be done with people rather than for people. We are continuing to build strong relationships with communities and our PPIE group to make research more inclusive and accessible.”
By embedding PPIE, researchers can design studies that are more accessible, improve recruitment and participation, and ultimately deliver findings that lead to better patient care.
