MRC Public Panel
The MRC is committed to involving the public in our work, adding an important perspective to our decision making.
Involving the views of people beyond the scientific and clinical community in health research is an increasingly important part of the strategic direction for many organisations, including medical research charities and the Department of Health. It can help organisations to better prioritise research issues which are important to members of the public and patients. In the long run this can help to ensure that health research funders make the best possible decisions.
This page describes how we use our Public Panel to achieve this aim.
- About the Public Panel
- What does the panel do?
- Who can become a member of the Public Panel?
- Public Panel terms of reference
- How do I join the Public Panel?
About the Public Panel
The MRC Public Panel is a system for matching suitable lay people to specific MRC activities in which a public or patient perspective would add value. The panel consists of people from all walks of life who have an interest in different aspects of medical research — perhaps by association with a medical research charity or through personal experience.
What does the panel do?
Panel members are invited to provide advice and guidance to the MRC on a project-by-project basis. These are usually one-off projects that run for a specified period and address a particular health need, emerging public health concern, or monitor the progress of research projects or national initiatives.
Panel members have been involved in:
- Developing a research strategy on motor neuron disease through input to a funding workshop involving academic and charity researchers.
- Sitting on the steering committee of the UK Stem Cell Bank, an international facility for the storage of ethically-approved, quality-controlled stem cell lines for research.
- Taking part in the assessment of funding applications submitted to the MRC-led Lifelong Health and Wellbeing initiative. Panel members were asked to provide guidance on research proposals and give a public perspective on the value of each project.
- Taking part in a focus group to assess the experiences and motivations of individuals from a non-academic background who act as reviewers for research funding applications.
Who can become a member of the Public Panel?
Our membership is diverse and includes people with a range of backgrounds and interests in medical research. As an example of the types of people we are looking for, you could be associated with a medical charity; be a patient or carer with a particular illness, condition or experience; or simply a member of the public with an interest in medical research.
Current panel members include a retired research governance administrator, someone who has Parkinson’s disease, a director of a brain tumour charity, and a specialist teacher for children with learning difficulties.
Public Panel terms of reference
- To provide advice and guidance to the MRC on activities in which a public or patient perspective could add value.
- To ensure the MRC understands and responds to the public’s interests, needs and concerns about research where appropriate.
- To help support an environment where public and patient involvement is actively sought in MRC decision making.
How do I join the Public Panel?
Please email publicpanel@headoffice.mrc.ac.uk if you are interested in joining. We will then contact you to discuss your membership.