Participatory health research for disease modellers: Evidence, methods, and use cases
Health models are often criticised for uncertainty. This talk argues that the bigger problem is unexamined assumptions. Drawing on evidence from randomised trials, systematic reviews, and WHO guidance, the talk shows how participatory approaches—methods that systematically involve communities, practitioners, and policymakers—can expose faulty behavioural assumptions, improve parameterisation, and reveal implementation constraints that models may miss. Using examples from infectious disease and health systems research, including pay-it-forward interventions, the talk demonstrates how participatory inputs can change model structure, not only inputs. Rather than treating participation as a PPIE requirement, the talk reframes it as a methodological tool for improving models and policy relevance. The session will include short interactive exercises that invite participants to interrogate their own assumptions and explore how participatory methods could be incorporated into modelling research.
Location: White City, School of Public Health Building
Room: SPH 202 – Seminar Room
In-person event. If you wish to join online, please register here