14 October 2026 | Katie Porter, Programme Manager at PEDRI
On 22 September, we welcomed our community to London for the first-ever PEDRI Forum. The event gathered data researchers, statisticians, public engagement professionals, policymakers, public contributors and funders to explore the public can shape better data research and statistics, and support informed decision-making.
With Artificial Intelligence (AI) increasingly embedded in research, statistics and everyday life, the Forum provided a timely opportunity to explore the public’s role in how data is used.
Optimism and urgency
Throughout the day, delegates took part in a packed programme designed to showcase the breadth and diversity of public involvement and engagement activities in data and statistics taking place across the UK. The event featured rapid-fire talks, interactive workshops and posters with topics ranging from co-produced research to creative engagement activities, all highlighting the importance of effective public involvement and engagement as an essential part of building trustworthy, relevant and impactful work.
This was reinforced by keynote speakers including Benedetta Lacey (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology), Professor Sir Andrew Morris (Health Data Research UK), Professor Laura Gray (University of Leicester) and Dr Mhairi Aitken (Our AI Collective), and in our panel discussion featuring leaders from across the sector. Together, they reflected on the opportunities and challenges facing the sector, emphasising the importance of transparency and genuine partnership as data research and AI continue to evolve at pace.
Across the programme, delegates were inspired by practical examples of public involvement and engagement in action. One workshop explored an educational boardgame developed by Dr Joseph Lam and Rachel Leung, demonstrating how creative approaches can help people to understand the challenges associated withlinking large datasets. The session sparked discussion about fairness, trust and creating spaces that encourage curiosity and engagement.
The rapid-fire talks and posters offered further insight into innovative and impactful approaches being tested across the sector. For example, presentations on co-produced research including MAGENTA’s presentation on embedding public involvement throughout the research cycle and reflective learning from Designability on designing inclusive and accessible research, and posters showcasing learnings and approaches to evaluating public involvement, co-production, participatory research and engaging underserved communities. These presentations highlighted the value of working alongside communities from the outset, not only to improve research outcomes but to ensure that projects address questions and priorities that matter to the people most affected by them.
Perhaps one of the most energising aspects of the Forum was the sense of collective purpose that ran throughout the event. Across workshops, presentations and informal conversations, delegates shared a common ambition to improve how research teams and organisations work with the public. Discussions repeatedly returned to the importance of collaboration over duplication, building partnerships, and learning from existing good practice rather than reinventing it.
The Forum highlighted not only how much excellent work is already happening across the UK, but also the opportunity to make that work more visible, better connected and more sustainable. As expectations around public involvement and engagement continue to grow, participants reflected on the need for greater investment and more opportunities for people and communities to influence decisions about data and statistics.
The challenge now is to build on the relationships, ideas and momentum generated at the Forum and turn them into lasting change, ensuring that public involvement and engagement remain at the heart of how decisions about data are made.
Thank you to our sponsors and supporters
The PEDRI Forum would not have been possible without the generosity, expertise and enthusiasm of those who helped to bring it to life. We would like to thank our speakers, workshop facilitators, presenters, volunteers, sponsors and delegates, whose contributions played an important part in creating and dynamic and engaging programme.
Here’s what a few of our sponsors said about the event:
“I came away from my first PEDRI Forum with new ideas, new connections and a real sense of enthusiasm about what we can achieve through really effective public engagement. This is why DARE UK’s sponsorship matters – we’re proud to invest in bringing the community together to share learnings in this crucial area of work.” – Adam Bradley, Deputy Director, DARE UK
“The launch of the first PEDRI Forum is a fantastic achievement for PEDRI. It created a valuable space for learning, collaboration and the sharing of ideas, and represents an important milestone for public involvement and engagement in data research.” – Shayda Kashef-Tomlins (Senior Public Engagement Manager), Administrative Data Research UK (ADR UK) and Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC)
“It was a real pleasure to represent the UK Health Data Research Alliance at the PEDRI Forum. One of the foundations of the Alliance is to build public benefit, transparency and equality, which made the Forum particularly relevant to the work we’re doing. We really enjoyed meeting and speaking with public contributors and colleagues from across the health data research community, and having the opportunity to share more about the Alliance and the work we’re doing. We also really enjoyed listening to the talks and hearing from such a great range of speakers throughout the day. It was a brilliant opportunity to make new connections, have some really interesting conversations and hear different perspectives on public involvement and engagement in health data research.” – Nada Karrar (Project Manager) and Jutine Clements (Programme Manager – Regions & Communities), UK Health Data Research Alliance
“It was great to be at the PEDRI Forum and hear so many different perspectives on public involvement in health data research. One thing that really stood out to me was the importance of involving the public in a meaningful way and making sure their voices are heard when their data is being used for research. I had some interesting conversations throughout the day and came away with plenty to think about and take back to SAIL Databank.” – Tanaka Hundi Project Development Officer), SAIL Databank
Thank you also to our gold sponsor, the Association of British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI).
Together, these organisations helped support an event that celebrated the breadth of public involvement and engagement activity taking place whilst also championing good practice throughout the sector.
