Factors supporting research capacity development in an English local authority: a qualitative description and comparison with proposed mechanisms

Background

Research capacity development (RCD) involves resourced and sustained multi-faceted skill-building to enable high-quality, useful research alongside social change. Local authorities (LAs) have substantial potential to enhance health and wellbeing through research engagement given their role shaping determinants of health, access to rich data and interest in “what works”. This paper presents a qualitative reanalysis of research interviews undertaken in an NIHR funded Local Authority Research Systems (LARS) project in Doncaster Council, an upper-tier LA in England. It considers RCD mechanisms developed in health and care and public service literature to extend theoretical insights into RCD in English local government.

Methods

Initial project sampling was purposive, using a snowball approach. Interviewee work areas spanned adult and young people’s services. The interview schedule drew on mechanisms identified in published literature. Secondary thematic framework analysis of the transcripts of the 15 study interviews also used a deductive frame of mechanisms from published literature. Secondary analysis included discussion and review among the authors to refine themes and analysis.

Results

Interviewees identified mechanistic and cultural determinants of research capacity in this LA. Key themes were collaboration; making a difference; indications of expectations and importance of research; relationship between research, practice and policy; resource and capacity; and research as everyone’s business. Our findings support the relevance of previously published RCD mechanisms to the LA context. Some mechanisms resonated more than others: “exceeding the sum of parts”, “coproduction” and “feeling you are making a difference”. The latter of these mechanisms resonated strongly.

Conclusions

RCD mechanisms can stimulate joint work, promote synergy and unlock potential. Research partnerships should focus on local impact for communities and balance between scientific rigour and actionable research. Success relies on dialogue and co-production across research, health and care, and departments within LAs to address the wider determinants of health. This includes setting joint priorities, brave leadership and power-sharing between stakeholders. LAs can take steps including making research core business, ensuring protected time and experiential learning, and community involvement in research. Lessons from this study may offer transferable insights that inform RCD in comparable local government settings.