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PEDRI Forum 2026

Find out more about what to expect at this event

Date | 22 September 2026

Time | 9am – 5.30pm

Location | Wellcome Trust, Central London

Join us for a one-day national event focused on building a culture of meaningful public involvement and engagement (PIE) in data and statistics. The PEDRI Forum 2026 will bring together researchers, analysts, engagement practitioners, policymakers and public contributors. 

This event will spotlight inclusive and impactful approaches to engaging the public with data research, aligned with our Good Practice Standards. Through talks, workshops and interactive sessions, we’ll explore what good PIE practice looks like and create space for sharing experiences across the sector. 

Why attend?

The PEDRI Forum 2026 is designed with connection, collaboration and inspiration in mind. You can expect: 

  • Thought-provoking sessions with a range of speakers tackling some of the big questions in PIE 
  • Opportunities to showcase your work in dedicated spaces
  • A chance to connect with others in the data research and statistics community, including researchers, charities, research organisations, data owners and members of the public

Who should attend?

This event is open to people interested in shaping better, more inclusive approaches to engaging the public in data research and statistics.

Registration

In-person tickets have sold out.

Following an incredible response to the PEDRI Forum announcement, the in-person event has officially sold out. To make sure more people can access the thought-provoking presentations, we are pleased to offer online access to the Forum’s keynote programme.

As an online attendee, you’ll be able to: 

  • Watch all four keynote sessions live throughout the day 
  • Hear from leading voices in public engagement and data research 
  • Submit questions for consideration during the audience Q&A sessions 

Find out more and register on Eventbrite. 

Event programme

Find out more about what’s happening on the day

Location: Main event space (6th floor)

Location: Main event space (6th floor)

Speakers:

  • Dr Doreen Tembo, Head of Public Involvement (Health Data Research UK) and Strategic Lead (PEDRI)
  • Samaira Khan, Senior Partnerships Manager and Operational Lead (PEDRI)

Location: Main event space (6th floor)

Keynote speaker: Benedetta Lacey, Deputy Director for Data Policy, Coordination and Governance, Office of the Chief Data Officer, Government Digital Service, Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sports

Panelists:

  • Benedetta Lacey
  • Professor Mary De Silva, Deputy Director for Data Policy (Department of Health and Social Care)
  • Dr Emma Gordon, Director (Administrative Data Research UK)
  • Caleb Meath, Innovation and Research Policy Manager (Association of British Pharmaceutical Industry)
  • Joe Cuddeford, Director (Smart Data Research UK)
  • Jan Speechley, Public Partner (PEDRI)

Chaired by: Doreen Tembo

Location: Main event space (6th floor)

Information on poster presentations.

Public Engagement Across the Data Research Lifecycle

Location: Main event space (6th floor)

Presentation type: Rapid fire

Chair: Elizabeth Waind (DARE UK)

View all presentations in this session


Public Engagement with Data Linkage and Data Governance

Location: Hodgkin (Ground floor)

Presentation type: Rapid fire

Chair: Samina Begum (use MY data)

View all presentations in this session


From the ground up: Exploring place as a vehicle for discussion around data research using innovative mapping techniques

Location: Jenner (Ground floor)

Presentation type: Workshop

Chair: Katie Oldfield (Research Data Scotland)

Theme: Inclusion of Underserved and Underrepresented Communities in Data Research

View more information on this workshop.


The Art of Engaging with Health Data Research

Location: Mendel (Ground floor)

Presentation type: Workshop

Chair: Caroline Brocklehurst (Public Partner)

Theme: Data, Statistics and AI Literacy for Meaningful Public Involvement

View more information on this workshop.

Location: Main event space (6th floor)

Information on poster presentations.

Location: Main event space (6th floor)

Keynote speaker: Dr Mhairi Aitkin, Co-founder and Director (Our AI Collective)

The Linkmaster’s Dilemma: A Boardgame of Data, Decisions and Trust

Location: Mendel (Ground floor)

Chair: Anna Woolman (Health Data Research UK)

Find out more information on this session


Reimagining engagement with LEGO® bricks

Location: Jenner (Ground floor)

Chair: Amy Hodgkinson (PEDRI)

Find out more information on this session


Folding Boxes & Breaking Barriers: Building Community Engagement

Location: Hodgkin (Ground floor)

Chair: Shayda Kashef-Tomlins (ADR UK)

Find out more information on this session

Location: Main event space (6th floor)

Information on poster presentations.

Inclusion of Underserved and Underrepresented Communities in Data Research

Location: Main event space (6th floor)

Presentation type: Rapid fire

Chair: Matt Howard-Murray (Cancer Research UK)

View all presentations in this session


Data, Statistics and AI Literacy for Meaningful Public Involvement

Location: Hodgkin (Ground floor)

Presentation type: Rapid fire

Chair: Sarah Shaw (Smart Data Research UK)

View all presentations in this session


Embedding Public Involvement Across the Federated Data Research Lifecycle: Lessons Emerging from CONNECT-AF

Location: Jenner (Ground floor)

Presentation type: Workshop

Chair: Jan Speechley (Public Partner)

Theme: Public Engagement Across the Data Research Lifecycle

View more information on this workshop.


Creating adaptive public engagement activities

Location: Mendel (Ground floor)

Presentation type: Workshop

Chair: Katie Porter (PEDRI)

Theme: Public Engagement with Data Linkage and Data Governance

View more information on this workshop.

Location: Main event space (6th floor)

Location: Main event space (6th floor)

Keynote speaker: Professor Laura Gray, Professor of Medical Statistics (University of Leicester)

Patient and public involvement and engagement (PPIE) is well established in applied health research, yet its role within statistical methodology research remains underdeveloped. The technical complexity of methodological work, combined with limited guidance and training, can undermine statisticians’ confidence in undertaking PPIE and raises concerns about tokenistic involvement. The PPI-SMART group brings together statisticians and public contributors to co-produce resources that support meaningful PPIE in methodological research. In this talk, I will introduce a suite of freely available, co-produced resources designed to enable more effective engagement between researchers and public contributors in statistical and quantitative methodology research. These include animations, case studies, and a glossary. I will also highlight key challenges and practical strategies for fostering meaningful collaboration in this technically complex domain.

Location: Main event space (6th floor)

Speakers:

  • Professor Sir Andrew Morris, Director (Health Data Research UK)
  • Cassie Smith, Director of Legal, Trust and Ethics (Health Data Research UK)

Location: Main event space (6th floor)

Opportunity for further networking. Canapes and drinks will be provided.