Citizen engagement resources

• CIHR Jargon Buster
  The aim of the CIHR Jargon Buster glossary is to build a context for understanding CIHR-related and health research terms in lay language. This glossary is intended for non-researchers, citizens, patients and caregivers involved in a variety of roles both in patient-oriented research and in other engagement activities, such as in CIHR committees. The focus of this glossary is on medical research in general rather than a specific disease or condition.
• Health Canada Policy Toolkit for Public Involvement in Decision Making
  The purpose of the Health Canada Policy Toolkit for Public Involvement in Decision Making is to support Health Canada's mission to maintain and improve the health of Canadians by providing direction for Health Canada employees on public involvement. The document affirms the department's commitment to public involvement. It provides principles, guidelines and information for the effective involvement of citizens in government decision making on health issues.
• Community Based Research Canada is a network of people and organizations engaged in Community-Based Research to meet the needs of people and communities.
• Health Charities Coalition of Canada
  The Health Charities Coalition of Canada (HCCC) is a collective authoritative voice of national health charities in public policy and health research issues that affect the health of all Canadians.
• The Cochrane Consumer Network
  The Cochrane Consumer Network  is made up of fellow consumers who are committed to the philosophies of The Cochrane Collaboration and the importance of consumer participation in informed healthcare decision-making processes. The video found on this link describes how consumers and health care professionals from around the world are using the Cochrane Collaboration to improve health care practices.

The following international organizations may also be of interest:

• International Association for Public Participation (IAP2)
  IAP2 is an international leader in public participation, whose members seek to promote and improve the practice of public participation in relation to individuals, governments, institutions, and other entities that affect the public interest.
• INVOLVE (UK)
  INVOLVE is a national advisory group, funded by the United Kingdom’s National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), whose role is to support and promote active public involvement in NHS, public health and social care research. The advisory group believes that involving members of the public leads to research that is:
  • more relevant to people’s needs and concerns
  • more reliable
  • more likely to be used

If you know of other organizations involved in citizen engagement or have links for additional resources, please contact us at pce.pec@cihr-irsc.gc.ca.

Date modified:

2021-04-14