Exeter researchers awarded funding to evaluate public health interventions
Researchers from the University of Exeter in partnership with mental health charity the McPin Foundation have been awarded £2.5 Million from the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) to conduct evaluations of Local Government public health interventions.
The team led by Professor G.J Melendez-Torres from Exeter along with deputy directors Professor Katrina Wyatt from Exeter and Associate Professor Vanessa Pinfold from McPin, joins 9 other academic teams around the UK that make up the NIHR PHIRST scheme ‘Public Health Intervention Responsive Studies Teams’. Each team will complete 10 evaluations over the next 5 years.
G.J Melendez-Torres, Professor of Clinical and Social Epidemiology at the University of Exeter said: “Exeter’s continued development of public health is always with communities in mind. We are excited to continue our work nationally with communities to support better public health for everyone. We are also excited to be joined by McPin as a partner for this work.”
Known as ‘PHIRST EMPower’, researchers at the University of Exeter will work in partnership with the McPin Foundation a charity that focuses on mental wellbeing and involving people in research as experts by experience.
First commissioned in 2020, the PHIRST scheme is part of the NIHR’s Public Health Research programme that funds research that generates evidence to improve the health of the public and reduce health inequalities. The PHIRST scheme is open to any tier or function of Local Government across the UK, including the devolved nations – Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Organisations such as local councils apply to the PHIRST scheme for academic support to evaluate a specific public health service or scheme. If successful, PHIRST works with the local government partner to deliver a robust evaluation of the intervention over a 12 to 18 month period. Each PHIRST evaluation is co produced with the local partner, associated stakeholders and members of the public to make sure the research provides answers to locally important questions. Organisations are then able to use the findings and recommendations to inform evidence-based practice and policy decisions about each intervention.
Professor Adam Briggs, Programme Director for the NIHR Public Health Research (PHR) Programme, which funds the scheme, said: “The building blocks of health, things like decent housing, secure employment, clean air, and access to healthy food, are crucial to creating healthy places that support health and address inequalities. The NIHR’s investment in the PHIRST scheme is key part of how we work with local government to generate high quality evidence on what works to strengthen these building blocks, helping local decision makers maximise their impact on how services and programmes improve population health and tackle inequalities.”
PHIRST EMPower are beginning their first evaluation with Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council on their Safeguarding Adolescents from Exploitation team. Offering support to children, families, and professionals through early intervention, training, and multi-agency work to reduce risks and create safer environments for vulnerable adolescents.
Details of all evaluations conducted by NIHR PHIRST are available on the NIHR PHIRST website https://phirst.nihr.ac.uk/
Call for new applications
The PHIRST scheme is currently accepting new applications until 1PM on 3 February 2026. If you are involved with a public-health-relevant intervention commissioned by local government (and equivalent organisations in the devolved administrations) that is in need of robust evaluation you can find more information here.
