Public health research partnerships: Why and how?
Why should local authority public health teams do research?
Research-active public health teams within UK local authorities are better equipped to ask the right questions, test what works locally, and adapt national evidence to real-world contexts. Importantly, this is not about turning local authorities into universities. It is about building the confidence, capability and partnerships needed to collaborate on research that directly supports local priorities.
Local authorities involved in research can also attract vital resources. Research grants can fund posts and projects that directly benefit residents. Partnership with universities also has the potential to bring in world leading expertise on everything from data analytics to outcome improvement, enhancing the overall capabilities of the local authority.
Start by getting expert help
The NIHR Research Support Service (RSS) Specialist Centre for Public Health specifically supports public health research outside the NHS, offering tailored, practical help that speaks directly to local authority realities. This includes pre-award support with study design and methods, advice on funding routes, signposting to relevant training, and help to scope governance and ethics requirements. The centre is also building a repository of examples and templates drawn from real local authority experience, recognising that local authorities often need pragmatic solutions rather than abstract guidance.
The centre is part of the research landscape funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), they recognise that local authorities are central partners in improving population health. NIHR explicitly frames its offer to local authorities around three core functions. First, it funds public health and social care research that aligns with local government responsibilities. Second, it shares evidence and best-practice guidance so that local authorities can apply learning without having to reinvent the wheel. Third, it offers training and development opportunities for local authority staff. Together, these elements provide a clear national “on‑ramp” into research activity, rather than expecting each local authority to start from scratch.
Make a plan
Research involvement shouldn’t be haphazard. Rather, a simple internal plan should be drawn up for research activity. Where possible, design this in partnership with a university that is aligned with the local authority’s strategic priorities. Review examples of the different ways local authorities and universities are working together on public health research.
The NIHR Specialist Centre for Public Health has created a repository to showcase different approaches that local authorities are taking towards research governance and have developed a consensus definition of research with local authority colleagues. Explainer documents are available of key research governance terms and learning stories share learning from how different local authorities are putting these concepts into practice.
Build research capability into Local authority processes
There are a number of things to think about to make a local authority ‘research ready’. Just a few, relatively minor changes to how we do things can unlock a lot of potential. None of them are expensive or time consuming.
For example, think about research ethics review. This will be required when seeking research funding or writing up a study for publication. The Specialist Centre for Public Health is exploring different approaches to ethical review, including a regional Public Health Research Ethics Committee pilot. Issues such as data security and informed consent are things local authorities will already be very familiar with, so it’s more about adaptation of existing processes rather than a complete overhaul.
Also consider training and skills. This is not about turning local authority officers into eminent academic professors. But providing training on the basics of research design, systematic literature review and qualitative methods. The Specialist Centre for Public Health has produced a number of webinars and resources to support local authorities to increase their research capacity.
Good collaboration with universities can be greatly enhanced by the establishment of shared posts. These can either be jointly funded, or discussions could take place about some local authority staff taking up an honorary position with the university. In addition to this, co-hosting research students can be a way to build the partnership.
Finally, think about research publication. Seeing your work published in an academic journal can be an exciting prospect. It also helps share knowledge while building the reputation of the local authority as an innovator.
Conclusion
With the right national support, proportionate systems and practical capacity building, research becomes a powerful tool for delivering better outcomes, stronger partnerships and more confident decision making in local government. Some of this activity will present challenges, but local authorities can make sense of this with the support of the specialist centre. Research can generate resources for local authorities and be a fulfilling boost to their staff as they push forward the boundaries of knowledge in their field. Best of all, the local population will benefit from their local authority’s sharpened and more systematic approach to innovation.