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PHIRST EMPower

A partnership between the University of Exeter and the McPin Foundation. Combining their strengths to improve public health and reduce health inequalities.

PHIRST EMPower is a unique collaboration within the NIHR PHIRST scheme. Bringing together the University of Exeter, known for its research in public health and community engagement, with the McPin Foundation a mental health research charity that focuses on mental wellbeing and involving people in research as experts by experience.

PHIRST EMPower evaluations take a ‘bottom-up’ approach building on existing knowledge about the intervention and data that the local government has collected. This is then linked with insights from similar schemes and other relevant evaluative research. The team then co-creates a practical and robust evaluation plan that fulfils the needs and questions of the local government. By working closely with community partners and local researchers/practitioners, evaluations focus on both general public health issues and the specific needs of different communities. PHIRST EMPower is keen that local communities benefit from shaping and co-delivering the evaluation, and leaning how best to do this with local partners. 

A Community and Public Steering Group acts as a ‘critical friend’ to ensure PHIRST EMPower work is of good quality and reflects the values it thinks are important, including high-quality research and careful attention to what community members have to say. It will work in collaboration with Programme Steering Group comprised of professionals working in public health.

EMPower members