A report on how the Medical Research Council Consumer Liaison Group has influenced MRC research in the early stages

2004 Conference

The MRC is a national organisation funded by the taxpayer. It promotes research in all areas of medical and related science. The MRC established the CLG in 2000 to: (1) advise the MRC Council on the public’s perspectives on research, policy and strategy, (2) advise on how to involve the public in particular activities, and (3) to suggest activities that would benefit from public involvement.

CLG members have been involved in a wide range of research initiatives, and have focused on the early stages of research activities of national interest, for example, a Review of Autism Research, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Advisory Group, MRC Draft Guidelines on Tissue Collection and BioBank UK. CLG members have carried out their work by attending committees, advisory groups and working groups, and responding to documents and briefings.

In this presentation, members of the CLG and MRC will critically examine the influence of the CLG in making specific contributions to MRC research in the earliest stages of both applied and basic, research. We shall explore the challenges of making an impact in a large and complex organisation, and will discuss recent initiatives to extend the influence of the CLG to peer review processes, local networks, and MRC strategic activities.