ALL for RESEARCH, research for ALL!

What might we want to shout about for RESEARCH and what might we want to have for ALL?

It was d'Artagnan, in The Three Musketeers, who shouted,

 "All for one, one for all"  

...though the phrase had been in use much earlier and is also an unofficial motto of Switzerland. I have merely brought it back into use - intellectual borrowing and recycling - rather than theft is what I would suggest.

@activekritizen reminds all of us, Cardinal Richelieu wrote that educating the masses is dangerous


Here are my top 5 in each...

All for RESEARCH that...

1. Improves the quality of people's lives
2. Seeks answers to the questions, patients see as relevant
3. Plans and designs the proposal with the public
4. Provides lay summaries of intent and informs participants of the results
5. Opens the doors to participation, practice and governance

- research for ALL...

1. To find out, know and understand about research and value
2. To be able to take part in studies as part of their health journey
3. Communities, clinics, care homes as well as hospitals
4. Ages, abilities and cultures
5. Stages of health, well-being and medical need

If we are to shout "All for RESEARCH, research for ALL" then we have to make clear what people are able to do. 

A. The public are more able to find out about and take part in research

B. Research participants have a positive experience with an entitlement to know what happens as a result

C. The public being given clearer information about how and where to make a difference to research 

D. All research organisations working more collaboratively to place the public at the centre of their work

E. Researchers and funding bodies being encouraged to report and publish on the public impact in research

To achieve these we should set specific targets for each of the following:

A. The Public are able to...

• find out about research and how to take part in studies with three clicks of a mouse from national NIHR and local NHS websites
• register their particular interests in research and receive regular updates in every local area
• learn what research has found out in different areas of health in understandable language
• see signs and advice about how to engage and get actively involved to improve all aspects of research both locally and nationally

B. People who 'take part' in research are...

• acknowledged/thanked at start of a study and more preferably at the end
• given information about how/where to find the results of those  studies
• have opportunities to comment on the experience of taking part 
• given choice of keeping in touch, to help shape research and working with researchers 

C. Individuals and Groups are...

• enabled, supported and empower to make a difference 
• offered opportunities to learn and develop, for thr public and professionals, are available in different formats. Events, workshops and training are posted on an online calendar
• encouraged to record impact the public have made to improving research is captured and reported annually and in medical journals
• declaring interests and affiliations to industry and other commercial interests
• supported by effective systems, structures and resources regionally, locally and nationally 

D. All Research Organisations

• work collaboratively to achieve the aims of a research active nation 
• offer clear choices for the public to inform and improve research in their organisation and signpost to others
• engage cooperatively with Charities, Funders and the Commercial sector to improve research
• publicly report on the impact the public are making on their work

E. Researchers are 

• meeting and discussing their work with the public
• making clear the intended potential benefit of the research
• planning and working with the public to ensure good relevance, practicality and purpose
• taking up the challenge of producing good lay summaries of intent and result 

If this was a petition - would you sign up to it's intent?


We must do this in an imaginative and creative way which gives people the tools to make a difference. Why? Watch this presentation by Ken Robinson.  

Next, I shall be writing an explanation of why, I believe, we are already 'All for RESEARCH' and why it is vital to enable '...research for ALL'. 


If you want to know more about how YOU can find out, take part, use, help, influence and give to research then click on CURIOUS for a mystery tour.