Research Newsletter - Issue 62: Good News
HRB-IRC Public and Patient Involvement (PPI) National Network award
Congratulations to Professor Veronica Lambert, School of Nursing, Psychotherapy & Community Health, who is the DCU lead on the HRB-IRC Public and Patient Involvement (PPI) National Network award.
This is a significant award, valued at over €5M and will run for 5 years. DCU, NUIG, RCSI, TCD, UCD, UL and UCC will all act as lead sites, with both National and Local Partners also involved, including NUIM, QUB, HSE, Campus Engage, HRCI, IPPOSI, TUSLA and many others.
Further Information about the National PPI Network at DCU:
The National PPI Network aims to support and further build capacity for high-quality PPI in health research throughout Ireland through a Network that serves its members and benefits the wider community
The PPI National Network at DCU builds on the success of DCU PPI Ignite, which involved working together with PPI contributors and researchers to influence the context, infrastructure and strategic direction to support capacity building and embed PPI in research at DCU.
Dr Lucy Whiston will continue as Programme Manager as we transition towards the National Network, as will many of the original research team which included Dr Helen Burke (Research and Innovation Support), Martha Griffin (Expert by Experience), Prof. Pamela Gallagher (School of Psychology), and Prof. Anne Matthews and Dr Liam MacGabhann (School of Nursing, Psychotherapy and Community Health).
The Network will also continue to be supported by our established local partners (Epilepsy Ireland, Health Research Charities Ireland, International Network towards Alternatives and Recovery, Irish Advocacy Network, Spina Bifida Hydrocephalus Ireland); and we welcome our new local partners including the All Ireland Institute of Hospice and Palliative Care, Barretstown, Children in Hospital Ireland, and NetwellCASALA Living Lab at Dundalk Institute of Technology.
Over the next five years the ambition is to broaden the reach of engagement across Schools, Faculties, Research Centres and Institutes and continue to grow the Community of PPI Practice at DCU and beyond. We are calling all researchers, across career trajectories, and PPI contributors to get connected, involved and collaborate with the DCU PPI National Network and Community of Practice to build PPI capacity through education and training and to influence, champion and advocate for meaningful, impactful and scholarly PPI; thereby helping to ensure the needs of the public and patients are embedded at the heart of health and social care research.
To discuss opportunities for getting actively involved, or to find out more information and/or seek assistance in advancing PPI in your research proposals/projects please connect with the PPI team directly (veronica.lambert@dcu.ie, lucy.whiston@dcu.ie) or contact ppi@dcu.ie and visit: https://www.dcu.ie/ppi.