We are committed to meaningfully involving patients and the public across all ways of working and activities, and to fostering a research community that is trusted, open, diverse, collaborative and inclusive.
The Academy of Medical Sciences brings people together to turn research into better health for everyone. We support researchers, shape policy and connect experts across academia, the NHS, industry and government to tackle the biggest challenges in health and ensure the UK remains at the forefront of medical science globally.
You do not need scientific or medical expertise to contribute. Your lived experience is your expertise.
My involvement enabled me to contribute positively with the Academy's policy priorities around EDI and PPI.
Academy PPI contributor
Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) is central to our work. Your experiences and insights help us make our work more relevant, inclusive and impactful. You do not need scientific or medical expertise to contribute. Your lived experience matters
You'll mainly work with our Engagement team, who support PPI across the Academy. We value the time, energy and expertise you bring, and we look forward to working with you to improve health through research.
We work to improve health by supporting researchers and strengthening medical science. We do this by:
We also work with our Fellowship. Our Fellows are at the heart of the Academy. They are among the UK's most accomplished researchers and clinicians, recognised for their outstanding contributions to medical science and the health of people and communities.
We have been working with patients and the public since 2008
More recently, we have:
A Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) contributor is someone with personal experience of a health condition, caring for others, or using health services who helps shape health and medical research. Rather than taking part in the research as a participant, they work alongside researchers, sharing their experiences and perspectives to help make research more relevant, inclusive and useful.
People with lived experience bring perspectives that researchers, clinicians and policymakers cannot. Your insights help ensure health research is relevant, inclusive and focused on what matters most to patients and the public. Together, we can turn research into better health outcomes.
As a PPI contributor, you may help:
Our Patient Collective brings together people with a wide range of lived experiences, including:
We welcome ideas on how to make our work more accessible and inclusive, as well as suggestions for communities and organisations we could work with in the future. Get in touch if you're interested in joining the Patient Collective.
The project valued the different types of knowledge that everyone involved had.
Academy PPI contributor
We want to make our work as accessible and inclusive as possible and welcome suggestions on how we can reach more communities.
You do not need scientific or medical expertise to contribute. Your lived experience is your expertise.
We ask contributors to share their experiences, ideas and perspectives, either in person or in writing. You will not be asked to speak on behalf of others. In return, we'll provide support and guidance to help you contribute with confidence.
They understand the importance of building relationships and live their values.
Academy PPI contributor
You will never be expected to speak for everyone with a similar experience. Your role is to share your own perspective and knowledge.
The Academy is committed to creating a respectful environment where every contribution is valued. There is no right way to get involved, and we encourage everyone to listen to and respect different experiences and viewpoints.
We want everyone to feel able to contribute in a way that works for them.
We will:
We achieve more when we bring different perspectives together. As part of a project, we ask everyone to:
The sessions were well organised, our role was clear, and the Academy staff are always approachable.
Academy PPI contributor
We'll support you to make the most of your involvement and ensure your contribution is valued.
We'll communicate in the way that works best for you, usually by email, but we can arrange calls or meetings if helpful. You can tell us at any time if you'd like more or less communication.
We may also share relevant opportunities from the Academy and our partners. You're free to accept or decline any opportunity, and saying no will never affect future invitations.
By getting involved, you'll help shape research, policy and practice, while gaining insight into health research and developing new skills and connections.
It's been life-changing having a voice, being listened to and respected, and knowing you're helping others.
Academy PPI contributor
Contributing to Academy projects does not make you an employee. You can leave a project at any time, and you won't have employee rights or responsibilities.
The Academy cannot provide medical, legal or financial advice, and taking part in our work is not the same as participating in a research study or clinical trial.
We value the time, experience and insight you bring to our work. Eligible PPI contributors are paid for their involvement and can claim reasonable expenses.
Our payment rates follow NIHR guidance and currently start at £27.50 per hour, including preparation time. Where appropriate, and agreed with the Engagement team, we also reimburse travel, accommodation, and other costs that lower barriers to involvement as needed. If you have any questions about payments, eligibility, support costs or completing the payment form, please contact us before submitting your claim. We're here to help.
If taking part could affect your tax or benefits, we recommend seeking independent advice. Payments are made directly to your bank account, and you are responsible for any tax declarations.
If you need support with payment forms or have questions about eligibility, please contact the Engagement team.
We want everyone to be able to contribute fully and confidently.
We deliver activities online and in-person and can provide reasonable adjustments such as live captioning or printed materials. If you have any accessibility requirements or concerns about using technology, please let us know and we'll work with you to find the best solution.
I have had the privilege of working with the Academy on a number of projects, they understand the importance of building relationships and live their values.
Academy PPI contributor
Your wellbeing comes first. If you need to step back from a project at any time, just let us know.
We are committed to creating a safe, respectful and inclusive environment for everyone involved. All Engagement team members have safeguarding training, and the Academy has safeguarding and Safe Space policies in place.
If something makes you feel uncomfortable or unsafe, please speak to a member of the team.
We treat your contributions with care and respect. Information you share will only be used for the purposes of the project and handled in line with the Academy's privacy policy.
We ask everyone involved in our work to respect each other's privacy and confidentiality.
This guide has been shaped by PPI contributors and Academy staff working together.
We welcome your feedback and are always looking for ways to improve how we involve and support contributors. If you have suggestions or questions, please contact the Engagement team.