The ultimate aim of all public health research is to improve population health and wellbeing and reduce health inequalities and this is arguably most effectively achieved by ensuring that research is effectively embedded in practice. In 2016, the Academy of Medical Sciences in a report entitled ‘Improving the health of the public by 2040’ recommended the establishment of regional public health "research hubs of engagement" which would bring together practitioners and researchers to link research and delivery much more closely. This directly led to the establishment of the Yorkshire & Humber PaRC (or "Practice and Research Collaborative"). The PaRC had strong roots, based on a decade of collaborative public health research across the region, and PaRC has since grown and flourished, providing a research network and communication hub across 15 local authorities and 12 universities. In this webinar, I will reflect on our experience as a regional hub and some of the opportunities and threats to both doing public health research and getting research into practice at a time when the challenges facing public health at every level have never been greater.

Bio

Professor Goyder’s research is largely focused on addressing health inequalities and in getting research evidence into practice, through both evidence synthesis and knowledge translation. Liddy previously worked in the areas of inequalities in access to services, diabetes screening and type 2 diabetes prevention.

Liddy’s involvement in research that develops and evaluates physical activity interventions has led to her current role with the National Centre for Sport & Exercise Medicine in Sheffield, promoting collaborative research across the university, NHS, City Council and a range of community partners.