RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences has launched Phase II of the PPI Ignite Network, marking a significant step forward for public and patient involvement (PPI) in health and social care research across Ireland. The launch event, held yesterday, also marks the transition of the Network’s central office from the University of Galway to RCSI.

The PPI Ignite Network brings together researchers, patients and the public to shape health and social care research from planning through to delivery and dissemination. By embedding public and patient perspectives at every stage, the Network aims to transform research culture and improve health outcomes for communities across the island of Ireland.

Phase II sees the Network expand from seven to 11 university partner sites, North and South of Ireland, with each university hosting a local PPI Ignite Office and Programme Manager. For the first time, members of the public will serve as formal co-leads, ensuring their voices are central to decision making and governance. This phase also broadens the range of researchers and research areas involved in PPI, further strengthening the impact of the Network.

Professor Michelle Flood, RCSI School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences and All-Island Lead of the PPI Ignite Network, said: “We are delighted to welcome the central office of the PPI Ignite Network to RCSI as the Network enters this important new all-island phase. Over the next five years, the Network will bring together universities, public contributors, health and social care organisations, charities, policymakers and research funders to strengthen public and patient involvement across health and social care research and build a more connected and inclusive infrastructure for PPI across the island of Ireland.

“Our ambition is not only to support high-quality PPI within individual research projects, but to help shape a research system and culture where public involvement is embedded more consistently across research, policy and practice,” added Prof. Flood.

Patrick Fitzgerald, PPI Co-Lead, TU Dublin and St John of God Research Foundation said: “Being a PPI Co-Lead means my voice matters. It gives me the chance to represent other people and speak up about what is important. In the next five years I hope we see more paid roles for people with lived experience in research and projects. We need more accessible communication and Easy Read information and use of assistive technology. We also need more co-design where people with disabilities are involved from the beginning, more leadership opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities and research designed with people, not just for people.”

Professor Fergal O’Brien, Deputy Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation at RCSI, said: “RCSI is proud to take on the national leadership of the PPI Ignite Network as it enters this important new phase. Public and patient involvement continues to be a core priority for RCSI, and we believe collaboration and inclusion are fundamental to delivering impactful research.”

The PPI Ignite Network is funded by the Health Research Board, with co-funding from each of the partner universities, representing a total investment of over €10 million. It builds on the achievements of the initial PPI Ignite Programme (2017–2021) and Phase I of the Network (2021–2026), previously led by the University of Galway.

The 11 university partner sites for 2026–2031 are: Dublin City University, Maynooth University, Queen’s University Belfast, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, South East Technological University, Trinity College Dublin, Technological University Dublin, University College Cork, University College Dublin, University of Galway and University of Limerick. Ten all-island partner organisations also contribute to the Network, representing a diverse range of interest-holders committed to increasing public and patient involvement in research, Health Research Charities Ireland, Irish Platform for Patients’ Organisations, Science & Industry (IPPOSI), Tusla, Health Service Executive Research & Development, Structured Population health, Policy and Health-services Research Education (SPHeRE), The Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI), The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA), European Clinical Research Infrastructure Network (ECRIN), Royal Irish Academy and Research Ireland.