Pan-Sussex Diversity in Research Engagement Network (REN)
Diversity Resource International (DRI) has been involved with the Pan-Sussex Diversity in Research Engagement Network (Sussex REN) since its launch in October 2023.
This project is a collaboration between NHS Sussex, Brighton & Sussex Health Research Partnership, VCSEs, National Institute for Health and Care South East Research Delivery Research Network (NIHR SE RRDN) and other key partners.
First Phase
The Sussex-based REN project began in October 2023 with the aim of exploring how communities, community researchers and health and care researchers can work together to tackle inequalities and improve research inclusion.
The first phase of the Sussex REN involved a pilot project to equip 15 community researchers from 8 core VCSEs with valuable skills and insights into barriers and facilitators to health and care research engagement and involvement.
Two DRI community researchers completed the Community Researcher Development Programme organised by the Brighton and Sussex Health Research Partnership (HRP) and the Sussex Integrated Care System (ICS), which included engaging with minoritised groups to capture their perspectives and incorporate them into research findings.
DRI’s Managing Director, Patrick Nyikavaranda, provided mentorship for community researchers engaging with the programme. Over the past few months, Patrick also joined the programme’s steering group to help determine the next steps for REN based on the project’s outcomes.
Dissemination of outcomes
Dissemination activities for the first phase are being led by DRI. We co-developed a dissemination plan to create and share a series of materials designed for community researchers and their research partners (VCSEs, funders, and academic institutions) to support and guide effective partnerships.
The dissemination materials created include:
- Guidelines document for effective collaboration with community researchers
- Presentation pack for community researchers to present their work
- Glossary of terms
- Further reading and references document
- Flyers to promote the Sussex REN
Second Phase
Funded by NHS England, DRI is leading a project to design a Public and Community Involvement and Engagement (PCIE) plan for the Sussex Cancer Research Centre (SCRC).
Through a series of stakeholder workshops and community research fieldwork, DRI, Sussex REN, and SCRC have collaborated with VCSE organisations, stakeholder partners, and existing REN-affiliated Community Researchers, while also recruiting new researchers with lived experience of cancer screening, treatment, and caregiving.
Each Community Researcher led an individual research project, conducting and analysing interviews, and producing a brief findings summary. As part of the initiative, all Community Researchers participated in a CPD programme that included capacity-building research workshops and standalone modules delivered by REN partners.
The individual summaries were then analysed and consolidated into a main research report. Key findings from the report were presented and discussed during a stakeholder workshop held on 21 May 2025, where both experts and Community Researchers provided further feedback.
To date, the Community Researchers and project team have presented these findings at a number of academic and clinical events, including a creative exhibition at SCRC, their annual symposium, and the Sussex Clinical Academic Conference 2025.