ABSTRACT
Ethnic diversity and racism have not featured strongly in English research, policy or practice centred on understanding and addressing health inequalities. However, the COVID-19 pandemic and the Black Lives Matter movement have shone fresh light on deep-rooted ethnic inequalities and mobilised large segments of the population into anti-racist demonstration. These recent developments suggest that, despite strong counterforces within national government and the mainstream media, there could be a shift towards greater public awareness of racism and potentially a willingness to take individual and collective action. This paper addresses these developments, and specifically engages with the contested notion of 'allyship'. We bring together the experiences of 25 young adults living across England and prior literature to raise questions about whether and how racialized White individuals can play a role in dismantling systemic racism and reducing ethnic inequalities in health. Our analysis reveals a variety of complexities and obstacles to effective and widespread allyship. Findings suggest the need to nurture contingent, responsive and reflexive forms of allyship that can attend to the harms inflicted upon racially minoritized people as well as push for systemic transformation. White allyship will need to take a variety of forms, but it must be underpinned by an understanding of racism as institutional and systemic and a commitment to tackling interlocking systems of oppression through solidarity. The issues addressed are relevant to those occupying public health research, policy and practice roles, as well as members of the public, in England and other multi-racial settings.Copyright © 2023 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) refers to the involvement of patients, public, service users and lay people in research. It means that research is designed, conducted and disseminated with patients or other people with relevant experience. PPI is a fundamental component of healthcare research in the UK and evidence shows PPI can improve the research process. In 2020 the Mesothelioma UK Research Centre in Sheffield established a PPI panel for mesothelioma. Here, we aim to summarise a year of PPI activity and reflect on some of the key successes, and some of the challenges, with PPI in mesothelioma. Method: Over a 12-month period data were collated on the number of projects that were supported by the PPI panel and the different types of support they provided. A narrative account of key successes and challenges is also provided. Results: Over one year the PPI panel contributed to eleven research projects or funding applications in mesothelioma. The role of the PPI panel in these projects included: reviewing and revising funding applications;advising on development of research questions and methods;membership of steering committees;ethical review;developing recommendations from research;advising on dissemination. The PPI panel have improved the design and conduct of research within the Mesothelioma UK Research Centre and have contributed to a culture which supports active patient involvement in research. Challenges have included remote working due to COVID-19 and managing discussion around research on sensitive issues related to the terminal nature of mesothelioma. Conclusion: PPI contributions to research have expanded over recent years. The experiences of the Mesothelioma UK Research Centre support evidence which suggests that public involvement can make positive contributions to research. Disclosure: No significant relationships.