Patient involvement, public engagement, and communicating our science
The Maciocia Lab has established an innovative Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) programme that is unusual in its focus on preclinical laboratory research. While most PPI activities in cancer research focus on clinical trials, our group involves patients and members of the public in the earliest stages of our research, from target selection through to experimental design.
Our PPI group was established through a PPI Innovation pilot grant and includes 5-10 members who bring a range of backgrounds and experiences to the table. We meet regularly to discuss the lab's research and ensure patient perspectives shape the direction of our work.
Our PPI group meets quarterly to:
Patients are equal partners in shaping our research direction, not passive recipients of information.
We amplify patient voices and lived experiences to ensure our research is grounded in clinical reality.
We share our research openly and honestly, including uncertainties, so our PPI partners can provide meaningful input.
Our PPI partners have directly influenced our research programme. When they told us that making our research more accessible and bridging the gap between researchers and the public should be a key priority, we listened.
Our PPI group has also contributed to grant applications, reviewed patient-facing materials, and helped us communicate the importance and potential impact of our preclinical discoveries.
If you would like us to speak at your event or school, or if you are interested in visiting the lab, please get in touch.
If you are a patient, carer, or member of the public interested in contributing to cancer immunotherapy research, we would love to hear from you.