Reflections and Impact of a Long-Standing Public Involvement in Research Group: Celebrating Twenty Years

Background
The Public Involvement in Research Group (PIRg) was established in 2005 at the University of Hertfordshire. To our knowledge, it is the longest running Public Involvement group based within a University in the UK and possibly internationally. Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) is now a requirement for many funding applications in health and social care research.

Methods
The PIRg celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2025, and a film was co-produced with researchers, and PIRg members (past and present) about their involvement and the impact the group has made. This paper provides an overview of the group reflecting on its original aims, history, activities and impacts. We have reviewed PIRg meeting minutes, documents, researcher feedback forms (since 2016) as well as previous research studies to identify the PIRg involvement and outputs, including journal articles, conference papers and posters.

Results
The PIRg is a generic group (rather than condition specific) with a wide range of health and care research and lived experience. Over 20 years, there have been 41 PIRg members (average membership 7.7 years), four chairs and five administrators. This reflective opportunity identified seven main impacts; (i) shaping pre- and funded research (ii) documenting active involvement in projects and outputs (as co-applicants, co-researchers, co-authors) (iii) influencing student (PhD) research (iv) researcher feedback on impact (v) contributing to the PPI evidence base through research into PPI (vi) strategic influence by shaping PPI strategies, National guidance and policy and lastly (vii) impact on the PIRg members themselves.

Conclusion
The PIRg started at a time when Public Involvement was not widespread. As part of UK PPI history, the PIRg has had an impact at local, regional and national levels, adding to the PPI evidence base, with personal benefits for group members. Members have been supported to be co-authors, co-presenters and are acknowledged in journal articles and funder reports. Documented feedback clearly demonstrates the impacts on research (accessibility, recruitment strategies, and providing support for developing proposals for funding etc). The longevity of PIRg owes its stability to supportive leadership, stable organisation support and reciprocal relationships, whilst also acknowledging the importance of ensuring adequate funding.