Public Engagement
We believe patients and members of the public have a right to know about our research. We host and attend engagement events to share information about our research. To find out about upcoming opportunities to come and meet us, see below. You can also read about our past engagement activities below. We share a quarterly PPIE newsletter with our PPIE mailing list. You can sign up to receive the newsletter and read past copies below.
Read about our engagement activities
What is public engagement?
What is public engagement?
Public engagement is a term used to describe all of the activities an organisation does to connect with the public. For the CRCTU, this means our researchers going out into the community to speak to patients and members of the public about our work. A lot of our funding comes from public sources such as the UK government’s National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) or from charities such as Cancer Research UK. We believe members of the public have a right to hear how it is being spent!
Public engagement can be a helpful way for us to learn from members of the public and listen to their thoughts about research. Because lots of myths exist about clinical trials, it can also be a great opportunity for myth busting.
Public engagement is an important opportunity for us to share the results of our trials with the public, some of whom may have taken part in them as patient participants.
We are always looking for opportunities to engage with the public and have done so through schools, community groups, workshops, research showcases and even our own events. You can find out more about past engagement work and future plans below.
Upcoming public engagement
Upcoming public engagement
Our researchers will be at ShedFest in Worcester at the University of Worcester Arena on Thursday 13th August 2026. ShedFest is the UK’s premier annual gathering and exhibition for the Men’s Shed movement. Hosted by the UK Men's Sheds Association (UKMSA), the event features inspiring keynotes, panel discussions, live demonstrations, and hands-on workshops designed for “Shedders” to network and share expertise.
Our researchers will be at the Simmer Down Festival at Handsworth Park in Birmingham on Sunday 26th July 2026. Simmer Down is one of the UK’s largest reggae and Caribbean arts festivals.
Past public engagement
Past public engagement
On Monday 20th April 2026 we held our first PPIE Day on campus at the University of Birmingham. We welcomed 35 people to this free event where they learned more about the CRCTU and heard the results of the National Lung Matrix Trial. To be informed about future events like this, please sign up to join the PPIE mailing list (Microsoft Form opens in new tab).
At the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Research Showcase on Wednesday 20th May 2026, our team talked to patients and members of the public. Our stall placed 3rd in the “best stall” competition.