Participatory Research Funding: The Role and Value of Public Engagement Professionals

Participatory Research (PR) is a collaborative approach where researchers and community partners work together to shape the research process, ensuring outcomes are equitable and socially relevant. Research England supports this via the Participatory Research Fund (PRF), which distributes annual funding to Higher Education Providers (HEPs). Because both PR and the PRF lack strict definitions or rigid reporting frameworks, HEPs are given significant autonomy in how they utilise these funds. This report explores the value-add of Public Engagement Professionals (PEPs) in managing the PRF. Drawing on surveys and workshops with PEPs across England, the findings reveal that PEPs are well equipped to maximise the PRF's impact due to their adaptability, relational expertise, and deep understanding of both community needs and institutional contexts.