From Tokenism to Trust: Transforming Public Engagement in Local Authority Research and Practice Through Health Determinants Research Collaborations

The transfer of public health responsibilities to local authorities has placed greater emphasis on the need for evidence-based decision-making to address health inequalities. Integral to this process is the involvement of the public and communities in research, ensuring that decisions are informed and equitable. While local authorities possess existing structures for community engagement, the establishment of NIHR Health Determinants Research Collaborations (HDRCs) presents a fresh opportunity to address power imbalances potentially inherent in traditional engagement practices. This chapter explores how HDRCs can establish sustainable research infrastructure to embed public involvement and community engagement (PICE) within local authority systems and foster long-term change which places communities at the heart of health inequalities research.