Health Inequalities Research Capacity and Capability Programme 2026!
Two more of our team Vlad and Keira (community co-researchers) have recently completed the Health Inequalities Research Capacity and Capability Programme. The programme is led by Blackpool Teaching Hospitals, the HDRC team, NHS R&D NW and Lancaster University academics. Vlad and Keira worked as part of a small group to construct a research proposal, the group’s proposal was titled ‘What are individual’s experiences of understanding and utilizing health information when self managing COPD within 2 years of diagnosis, who live in Blackpool’. They recently attended a celebration event for the programme where they presented their proposal to academics, the cohort and colleagues from the VCSE and public health sector.
Vlad and keira reflected on the day:
‘Programme participants had the opportunity to present on the day, but before that, we underwent nine months of training to develop our soft and hard skills as individuals and researchers. This training prepared us to deliver a proposal of a standard close to that of a PhD, and taught us what research projects consist of and what preliminary actions have to be done to be ready to start successful research.’ Vlad
‘ I enjoyed taking part in small discussions tables related to each subgroups research proposals. The day opened up networking opportunities such as the Welcome to BRIDGE Research Network. Presenting felt a little daunting but now that I've done it, I feel more comfortable to present in the future.’ Keira
From left to right: Our co-researchers presenting at the celebration event for the programme.Vladystav Basiuk (co-researcher BBF) Keira Pool (Co-researcher BBF) Sophie Davison (Clinical Psuchologist in Oncology Blackpool Teaching Hospitals) Sharon Hird (co-researcher Healthwatch Blackpool)
Presentations at the celebration event.
Our extended team and cohort members.
From left to right: Cy Karoonian (Project Co-ordinator Boingboing Foundation) Sharon Hird (co-researcher Healthwatch Blackpool) Keira Pool (Co-researcher Boingboing Foundation) Matthew Parker (Senior Co-researcher Healthwatch Blackpool) Vladystav Basiuk (co-researcher Boingboing Foundation) Sumaiyah Chowdhury (Co-researcher Boingboing Foundation) Kelsey Rogers (co-researcher Boingboing Foundation)
Other members of our team joint Vlad and keira at their final presentation at Lancaster University to show their support.
Caitlain (co-researcher Boingboing Foundation) reflected on the experience saying ‘I got to meet hard working and lovely people, passionate about research. I found everyone's presentations so well thought through. My peers have inspired me to work on my own public speaking’.
Cohort 3 of the Programme