Citizens Advisory Network

Launching in 2025, the Heriot-Watt Citizen’s Advisory Network (CAN) is a dynamic community of citizens working side-by-side with our researchers at the Health and Care Technologies Global Research Institute.

Our researchers develop solutions for many important health and care areas, from redefining non-invasive surgical techniques and tackling frailty using robotics to pioneering revolutionary imaging technologies for early disease detection. But we know that fresh perspectives lead to better ideas. When patients and the public are engaged in research, they bring insights that researchers may not have considered. This collaboration improves the quality and impact of our work, ensuring it’s robust, inclusive, and innovative.

The CAN is a collaborative initiative developed to involve patients and the public in health and care technologies research through Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement (PPIE) activities. In doing so, only research aligned with the needs and preferences of those it is intended to benefit will be pursued.

CAN members can participate in different stages of the research process. They help identify research priorities, design studies, develop materials, and disseminate findings. This involvement ensures that the research is relevant, ethical, and accessible.

The CAN comprises a diverse and ever-changing membership, including patients, caregivers, and community representatives. Members bring unique perspectives based on their lived experiences with health conditions, which are invaluable to researchers engaged in the five different themes of the Health and Care Global Research Institute:

• Engineering the Fight Against Cancer
• Technologies for Healthy Ageing
• Digitising Chronic Disease Management
• One Global Health Innovation
• Digital Mental Health

If you are interested in finding out more, including how you can get involved, please contact us at ResearchInvolvement@hw.ac.uk. We look forward to hearing from you!