London Borough of Islington Health Determinants Research Collaboration: accelerating evidence-based approaches to challenging inequalities

BACKGROUND. Islington is the sixth most deprived borough in London, with the highest rate of child poverty and characterised by stark inequalities. Our Local Authority (LA) has a strong corporate commitment to using data intelligently, working with residents and communities to address the wider determinants of health and reduce inequalities.

Whilst we have a good track record in interrogating data, undertaking research activity and collaboration, this is often small-scale and limited to single LA departments, leading to siloed approaches in which findings are often only disseminated internally. Similarly, working under financial pressure can divert our focus away from evidence use in day-to day work and from generating and using research at scale.

VISION. To reduce inequalities and improve health and wellbeing among our residents by creating an organisational culture where research, data, and resident insights are intrinsic to the way our LA works. This will drive equitable and effective policy and decision-making across all functions and departments, enabling our LA to make a difference to residents’ lives, particularly those experiencing greatest deprivation.

AIMS. Within our LA and Islington as a place, to:

1. Create a sustainable research culture that places research at the heart of how we work with communities to improve outcomes and reduce inequalities.

2. Strengthen preventive and population health and wellbeing by generating and mobilising data and insights overall and at a hyper-local level to identify inequalities and support and evaluate action to improve outcomes.

3. Build capacity and participation in research as a way of driving change and making a positive difference to residents, ensuring they are central to research design and delivery. HDRC ACTIVITIES include three interrelated workstreams:

Strengthening collaborations and culture. We will develop stronger research networks by working more effectively across LA departments; and by working in partnership with residents, particularly from under-represented communities; voluntary and community organisations; public health partners and leaders across London and beyond; and higher education institutions.

Data and infrastructure. We will make it easier for data and insights to be harnessed to inform policy and decision making by improving how we collect, store, integrate, and use data. We will create a clear pathway for undertaking research in Islington.

Capacity building. We will offer training to residents, elected members, and LA staff to provide them with the skills to create, undertake, use, and bring research to life in a meaningful and impactful way. Offering training to residents will create a community of research ambassadors central to all HDRC activities.

OUTCOMES. We will undertake action-based evaluation of the HDRC’s impact on our culture and leadership, decision-making, and wider influence to shape how the HDRC works and assess how it helps us achieve our vision.

DISSEMINATION. We will share our experiences and outputs locally, regionally, and nationally with a variety of audiences and formats, widening participation to include residents to maximise impact.

IMPACT. This HDRC funding will transform Islington by building the energy, excitement, and capability to sustain, improve, and diversify the use of research to address the wider determinants of health and create a more equal borough with residents and communities as central partners.