This report has been produced by the Faculty User and Carer Liaison Group , in conjunction with the Impact Acceleration Unit , to share experiences of public involvement and engagement during the COVID-19 pandemic . The report considers the impact of the pandemic on public involvement and engagement in educational and research-related activities and , reflecting on this , looks towards a vision for the future . The report also reflects on the importance of building and sustaining relationships in making public involvement and engagement meaningful . The final section of the report outlines the work of the Faculty User and Carer Liaison Group and extends a broad invitation to join us and get involved .
In March 2020 , educational and research related activities that required physical attendance on the University campus by students , users and carers , and staff stopped . The majority of these activities have subsequently been replaced by online alternatives , despite the disruption caused to people ’ s lives by the pandemic . Users and carers have continued to be involved and engaged directly in teaching sessions and assessments , they have continued to contribute to the student admissions process by interviewing applicants , and they have continued to contribute strategically to programme and module design and review . Similarly , in research , users and carers have continued to contribute to the whole range of activities that they had contributed to before the pandemic . There have been a range of new researchrelated activities in the Faculty with public involvement and engagement , and users and carers have been contributing to research on the effects of the pandemic .
However , moving these activities online has involved a learning curve and many challenges to overcome for users and carers , as well as students and Faculty staff . Technical and practical support has been provided in a variety of ways for users and carers to access and contribute to virtual educational and research-related activities . A range of ways of supporting staff has also been developed , mainly through the influential regional and national roles hosted by the Faculty .
This response to the pandemic has involved a huge amount of effort and dedication from users and carers , as well as Faculty staff . However , whether or not there is a pandemic happening , building and sustaining relationships in public involvement and engagement takes time , commitment , and the right skills . These include empathy , compassion , respect , and the ability to actively listen and communicate clearly This is appreciated by users and carers and championed by the Faculty User and Carer Liaison Group :
“ I found that working with Keele has given me interest and friendship in a time when we have all needed both .”
( Feedback from a Research User Group Member )
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