A total of 27 researchers from across Kent, Surrey and Sussex (KSS) came together, in May, for an in-person event designed to develop researchers and engage communities in health and social care research across the region. The day was jointly organised by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR)'s Applied Research Collaboration Kent Surrey Sussex (ARC KSS) and Brighton and Sussex Medical School (BSMS).
Dr Liz Ford, Reader in Health Data Science, BSMS and ARC KSS Data Science Lead, commenced the day with a keynote on Health Inequalities in Coastal Communities and the importance of applied research. She highlighted the importance of not losing sight of health challenges faced by coastal communities and to find practical solutions through community engagement and by using social mechanisms.
Dr Julie MacInnes, Senior Research Fellow, Applied Health and Social Care, University of Kent and ARC KSS Research Capacity Co-lead, presented opportunities the ARC KSS Academy has available for those developing their research careers in the region.
An interactive session on Developing Diverse and Meaningful Community Engagement was led by Clare Saunders, Funding & Programmes Director at Medway Voluntary Action, followed by Kaye Duerdoth and Terry Adams from The Trust for Developing Communities, who presented an engaging session on the value and impact of involving community researchers in research.
To end the day, Dr Julie MacInnes led a facilitated activity on the theme of Equality and Inclusivity in Research using the Equality Impact Assessment Toolkit developed by ARC East Midlands. This led to a discussion among the group on what actions researchers can undertake to embed and enhance equality in the research they are involved in. The discussion challenged the participants to identify current challenges and seek solutions.
Initial feedback from the event highlighted how researchers enjoyed the event as a great way to network, generate ideas and stimulate discussion. Researchers also commented on the useful discussion time with the community voluntary groups.
Lucy Rodgers, Honorary Speech and Language Therapist at Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust and Wellcome Clinical PhD Fellow (HARP- Health Advances in Under-represented Populations and Diseases), said:
“It was very well organised, friendly and really added to my knowledge about the needs within coastal communities”
Beth Flowers, ARC KSS Academy Manager, said:
”Face to face opportunities like today’s event are excellent ways to understand more about the valuable research undertaken in the region. I have come away with a number of new contacts and new conversations to follow up”
Deeptima Massey, BSMS Research Manager, said:
“The key highlight of the day was that it brought together a wide range of early career researchers, including PhDs, from complementary disciplines enabling them to hold exploratory talks and find ways of co-creating knowledge. The event was an opportunity for BSMS and ARC KSS to further consolidate their ongoing collaboration”.
View slides from the event here
To find out more about future joint research events visit our website:
