Knowledge ecosystems in public health: UK research and policy on health inequalities and the social determinants of health.

This work aims to develop understanding of the different roles that research, and research-based ideas, play at different stages of public health decision-making processes. It will consider how research agendas were set, and how evidence was used to inform the short-term COVID-19 policy response, with a particular focus on the social determinants of health and how they were treated by researchers and commissioners.

The project will also develop conceptual work theorising different embedded academic researcher models and their implementation and impact in public health decision-making. Building on this work a further component will explore the ways in which research on social inequalities and the social determinants of health influence local public health decision-makers’ pandemic recovery response.

This research found that despite efforts to strengthen research infrastructure in local government, academic research remains underused in local public health decision-making. By studying one local authority in England and interviewing public health leaders, the project identified how collaborative, cross-organisational research can be successfully embedded within local authority structures. It highlighted both the opportunities such as improved relevance and responsiveness of research and the challenges, including limited capacity, unclear roles, and organisational barriers. The findings were further shaped through discussions with funders, facilitators, and local government stakeholders, and were shared widely through national conferences and a knowledge exchange event with the NIHR and local authorities.

The impact of this research was both practical and strategic. It provided valuable insights into how research can be better integrated into local public health decision-making by embedding collaborative, cross-organisational approaches within local authorities. The findings informed discussions with key stakeholders, including funders and local government bodies, helping to shape future strategies for strengthening research capacity in local settings. By presenting the work at national conferences and a knowledge exchange event with the NIHR and local government representatives, the research influenced ongoing conversations about the role of evidence in public health policy and contributed to a growing recognition of the need for sustained investment in local research infrastructure.

EPPI-Centre

University College London