This new strategy outlines our ambitions for creating effective collaboration and genuine partnerships between researchers, MRC staff, public involvement and engagement professionals, individuals and communities over the next three years.
Partnering with the public
By public partnerships we mean all the ways that people and the research community can come together to shape and share scientific research.
Public partners include members of the public, patients and voluntary and community groups, both in the UK and internationally.
Public partnerships are important because sharing knowledge and experience can improve the relevance of research, making it more likely that everyone will benefit.
Developing public partnerships
Our researchers are already inspiring future generations through their work with young people and engaging closely with patient and family groups to discuss research findings and potential impacts.
Our public partnerships strategy builds on these foundations.
It applies to all the research that MRC supports. We particularly want to increase public partnerships in non-clinical research, for example, lab-based experiments and data science, where they can bring benefit to research and society.
Priorities and actions
We will set up a public advisory group to guide our ways of working and support ongoing delivery of the strategy.
We will provide clear guidance about MRC funding to support public partnerships for research, including in developing funding applications.
We will establish learning networks, training and mentoring for our research community and public partners to support meaningful public partnerships.
Equitable and inclusive
Our strategy for public partnerships is part of a wider commitment across UK Research and Innovation to improve how the organisation involves people in research.
Patrick Chinnery, MRC Executive Chair explains why public partnerships are important.
Video credit: UK Research and Innovation
Video transcript and on-screen captions are available by watching on YouTube.
Top image: Credit: SolStock, E+ via Getty Images