Researchers value the guidance that patients and the public can provide to help them understand how their research is viewed by the people it is aimed towards. Insights from the patient perspective enable researchers to ensure their work is relevant and that information they produce about their research is clear.

Patient and Public Involvement in Research

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What is patient and public involvement (PPI) in research?

In this short film, people share their experiences of being involved with research. 

 

 

 

 

 

Why patients and the public might want to get involvedimage 1

  • Increase their knowledge of research, clinical trials and the NHS
  • Understand more about their condition
  • Feel part of the solution rather than the problem
  • Assist researchers as a means of ‘giving something back’
  • Being able to influence research
  • Learn new skills and develop existing ones

In the following link, you will find several accounts from people who have been involved in research and the impact it has had on their lives:

Research changed my life

How could you be involved?

There are a number of ways patients and the public can be involved with research. You could:

  • Be asked for your opinions on the type of research that would be useful and important to you
  • Help to apply for funding for a piece of research
  • Provide your feedback on the way research has been planned, sharing your concerns or ideas for improvements
  • Review the documents that will be given to patients to ensure they are understandable
  • Become a member of a team to provide guidance on a piece of research from the patient perspective
  • Lead focus groups to determine the opinions of other patients / members of the public
  • Influence the way results are shared so that they reach the people to whom the researched is aimed
  • Advise on the best ways to measure the impact of research

What could you expect if you became involved in research at ICTU?image 2

  • To be welcomed into a partnership with researchers
  • To be valued for your contribution
  • Clear guidance on the activities you undertake
  • Opportunities to clarify any activity you take part in
  • An insight into the research process
  • Feedback on how the activities you are involved in influence the research

If you would like to find out more about being involved with research at ICTU please contact Marie Miller (m.miller@imperial.ac.uk).

The Collaborations Section is currently being updated. 

If your request falls under one of the Therapeutic areas details for the relevant email can be found on the Therapeutic Area Contact Details Page.

For commercial sponsors

Visit our dedicated website for commercial sponsors interested in working with ICTU.

Temporary Clinical Trials Manager opportunity

We are looking for an experienced Clinical Trials Manager, preferably based in or near London, to join our supportive team on a temporary basis. 

Based within the Department of Surgery and Cancer with the Imperial Vascular Unit at St Mary’s Hospital and at the Imperial Clinical Trials Unit (ICTU) in White City, you will be working with the Imperial Vascular Unit to deliver a long-term study to perform a multicentre randomised controlled trial in patients with uncomplicated type B aortic dissection, to answer the question whether thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) in the subacute phase in addition to best medical therapy is beneficial compared to standard treatment.

You will be responsible for all aspects of trial management, including close liaison with the Chief Investigator and Principal Investigators at other centres, management of the associated study and implementing and adapting established ICTU systems to ensure the trial is developed and conducted to the highest scientific and regulatory standards.

A Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in a biomedical/scientific field or related field and proven clinical trial/project management and monitoring experience gained in multi-centre, randomised trials is essential. You will need to show strong leadership and motivational skills as well as effective communication, organisational and time management skills.

This full-time temporary post is available from September 2026 and is offered for 3 months. Travel is expected between the Imperial College campuses and research sites.

For more information, please review the EARNEST TM (Temp) Job Description Aug 2026.pdf.

To apply for this position, please send your CV and covering letter to t.sasikaran@imperial.ac.uk  (Operations Manager, ICTU).

Advert closing date: Tuesday, 25 August 2026

Interview date: Friday, 28 August 2026

Start date: ASAP, available from September

If you are interested, get in touch, we would love to hear from you!