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How can researchers involve members of the public in a meaningful way, and what makes study participants stay on board over many years? These questions were at the centre of a panel discussion at the environMENTAL General Assembly on 9 July 2026.

Moderated by George Ogoh (University of Nottingham, Work Package 9: Responsible Research and Innovation), the panel brought together Kate Hawley and Elena Cravero from the project’s Expert by Experience (EbE) Board and Prof. Sylvane Desrivières (King’s College London).

Sylvane Desrivières described three challenges from her own studies: reaching under-represented groups, keeping participants engaged in long-term cohort studies, and maintaining a stable research team so that trust can grow over time. She also shared how feedback from the EbE Board helped her with a recent grant proposal.

For Kate Hawley, accessibility comes first: research has to be explained in plain language that fits the people it is meant for, otherwise public involvement groups are quickly lost. Elena Cravero added that good practice also means nurturing participants’ curiosity, explaining what is being done and why, and building a relationship based on trust.

The EbE Board invites all project researchers to get in touch if they would like a lay perspective on their work.

Watch the 19-minute version here on Youtube.
Watch the full session including the discussion with the audience here on Youtube.