Be a part of Oxford Population Health’s Public Advisory Panel

Published on Wednesday, 21 September 2022 Post

Why are some mothers and their babies at more risk of a poor outcome from pregnancy and birth than others? What is the effect of pregnancy and childbirth on a mother's mental health? At what age should screening for breast cancer begin and end? Can wearing a heart monitor reduce your risk of having a stroke?

These are just a few of the questions that Oxford Population Health's researchers are trying to answer so that treatments, policies and practices can be improved to save people's lives.

But we need help from you, as part of the general public, to make sure our research tries to solve the right problems in the right way.

You can do this by joining Oxford Population Health's Public Advisory Panel.

We're looking for new members, specifically people who have recently had, or are thinking of having, a child, as those voices are missing from our panel. And we want people from all backgrounds – our work needs to reach and benefit all communities, especially those that feel left behind.

Members of the group give their opinions about whether we are doing the right research and help to make sure positive results reach the people who might benefit most. They help to make sure that information leaflets, surveys, websites and videos are easy to understand. And the group helps us to attract a wide variety of people to take part in research projects, such as clinical trials.

The group meets online, on average, just once a month. To join, you don't need any research or education experience, just your experience from life and curiosity.

You will meet new people, learn new things and help people live longer, healthier lives. You will also receive volunteer payment in return for your time. We can also cover childcare costs, if that means you can take part more easily.

Want to join the conversation?

Please contact Sophia Wilkinson at Sophia.wilkinson@ndph.ox.ac.uk or by phone on 01865 617 931 for an informal chat by Friday 30 September 2022.