The ReDIRECT team joined other Long COVID researchers, members of the public and patients to exchange ideas and opinions at the recent Conversations about Long COVID event at the ARCadia Festival of Ideas in Glasgow. 

Chris White of Long COVID Scotland and Tracy Ibbotson of the Glasgow University COVID Public and Patient Involvement Steering Group collaborated to organise the event. According to Chris: “We have to keep in mind that health research is not just about the academic community, it is about exploring innovations for the public benefit, particularly people and communities impacted by illness. ARCadia offered space to bring people from Long COVID communities together with academics to share learning.” 

Glasgow University Long COVID researchers are keen to involve more people in research and the aim of the ARCadia event was for them to meet with members of the public and patients to get ideas on how best to do this. 

The event kicked off with four short presentations from researchers. Professor Kate O’Donnell opened with a talk titled ‘Why we need research?’, then Dr David Blane spoke about ‘How has Patient and Public Involvement affected research?’ Dr Janet Scott then spoke about her work in previous pandemics and post-Ebola syndrome as well as Long COVID and Chris White, of Long COVID Scotland, spoke about ‘Why the patient perspective is important’. 

The presentations were followed by a round table discussion. More than 25 researchers and public audience members divided into smaller groups and shared their thoughts on what surprised them about the presentations, what benefits research into Long COVID can provide, and what concerns they have about research into Long COVID. A popular feature of the discussion was the work by  graphic recorder Caroline Brown to capture key elements of the conversation in an illustrated poster. Some participants expressed an interest in learning more and potentially getting involved with the research. 

The ReDIRECT Study has also benefited from the extensive involvement of people with Long COVID in its development. These participants have shared their priorities — to reduce symptoms like fatigue, breathlessness and pain — with researchers. A group of patients and other stakeholders continue to provide advice throughout the project. 

This public involvement and engagement event was part of the University of Glasgow ARCadia ‘Festival of Ideas’ which ran from Friday 16 September to Friday 30 September to celebrate the opening of the Advanced Research Centre.