HEN BONUS Webinar Recording: Putting communities at the heart of research
Health Equity Network BONUS Webinar: Putting communities at the heart of research
This bonus webinar explored how research partnerships can support local authorities to become more research-active and better equipped to address the wider determinants of health. The session focused on the NIHR Health Determinants Research Collaboration (HDRC) programme and considered how academic expertise, external review, and evidence generation can strengthen local decision-making.
Key themes and discussions
Embedding a health equity lens
A central theme throughout the discussion was the importance of viewing research and policy through a health equity lens. Participants considered how evidence can be used not only to understand inequalities, but to provide timely and actionable insights that support more equitable outcomes across communities.
Building research capacity within local systems
The webinar highlighted the value of creating research-ready local authorities, with an emphasis on developing skills, building confidence in using evidence, and fostering closer links between academia and practice. Strengthening research capacity was presented as an essential component of supporting long-term change and ensuring that local policies are informed by robust evidence.
Connecting communities, policy and politics
The discussion emphasised that reducing health inequalities requires strong relationships across sectors. Effective collaboration between communities, researchers, policymakers and political leaders was identified as critical for translating evidence into action. Participants reflected on the need to ensure that research is accessible, relevant and responsive to local priorities.
Reaching people at the right time
The importance of engagement and communication emerged as a key theme. Discussions highlighted the challenges posed by delayed presentation and barriers to accessing services, particularly where individuals prioritise the needs of others over their own. Participants reflected on the need to engage the right people, with the right messages, at the right time, acknowledging that while there is still work to do, there is growing recognition of the ingredients needed to make meaningful progress.
Why this matters
The session reinforced that tackling health inequalities requires more than generating evidence—it requires building the systems, relationships and capacity needed to turn evidence into action. By strengthening links between research, local government and communities, research-ready local authorities have the potential to drive more equitable, place-based approaches to improving health and wellbeing.