HRA is working with the Charities Research Involvement Group and Arthritis UK to develop a shared set of public involvement questions that can be used in application forms across the research lifecycle and sector.
We hope that a shared question set will:
- promote greater alignment around public involvement expectations and definitions
- reduce the burden on researchers by implementing a consistent approach
- improve the quality of information that reviewers receive
- enable sector-wide analysis and action through the anonymous aggregation of data collected across organisations
What's the activity?
We're looking for 10 REC members from across the UK to review the latest version of the questions to see if they would provide useful information to inform ethical review.
What's involved?
- read a copy of the draft questions
- use a survey link to provide your feedback by 25 September 2026.
This should take around an hour.
If you're interested, we can share a summary of feedback received so far, but it's not essential to read this before completing the survey.
What support will I receive?
Your main point of contact will be Kat Evans, Public Involvement Officer. As set out in our ways of working, we’ll do our best to give you the information you need to take part. If a short call would be useful to provide more context, or if you should need the documents or survey in a different format, Kat will do her best to help.
What difference will it make and how will I know?
We anticipate receiving different views from people in different roles from across the research sector. Our challenge is agreeing language that will work across the research lifecycle and sector, from funding applications and ethics review to journal submission, whilst recognising that individual organisations need a degree of flexibility to integrate questions into their own systems, timelines and processes.
Your feedback will help us understand whether the questions are likely to provide the information REC members need. It will take time to develop and implement the new questions, but we will keep members updated through our usual communication channels.
Will I receive payment and expenses?
As set out in the Community payments policy, we can offer a £27.50 honorarium recognising that this activity is additional to your voluntary role as REC members. Payments are offered in recognition of your contribution to shaping HRA’s work. This does not create an employment contract or affect your voluntary role for REC activity. We cannot pay for time already funded by another organisation (e.g., NHS or university). It's our policy to reimburse reasonable expenses, where agreed in advance.
If you would like to receive the honorarium, we will send you the relevant information and forms.
How do I express interest?
If you are interested, please email the public involvement team on public.involvement@hra.nhs.uk by 11 September. If more than 10 people express interest, we will select participants at random.