“There’s no point in undertaking research if it doesn’t benefit the public”
Pete Gee recently joined the Health and Care Research Wales team as the new Senior Public Involvement Manager. With him, comes six years of expertise in helping the public be part of research, a passion for getting all voices heard and the belief that research could not happen without you.
Bags of experience
“Before coming to Health and Care Research Wales, I worked for Cardiff University, in a number of research centres, including the Wales Cancer Trials Unit, Marie Curie Palliative Care Research Centre and most recently the public health research centre, DECIPHer.
“When I was at DECIPHer, I supported the public, helping them be part of research, I gave advice and guidance to researchers, and ran focus groups with the youth advisory group, ALPHA (Advice Leading to Public Health Advancement).
“Being able to offer members of the public the opportunity to have their voices heard, gives me a real sense of pride. I’m really excited to continue this work and to offer new opportunities for people who may have thought research wasn’t for them.”
Passionate about the public
“It’s everyone’s right to have a say on matters which directly impact them. Having more people from all walks of life give their point of view, will paint a more detailed picture and researchers will be able to ask the questions that need answering.
“Working with ALPHA, I’ve seen shy, quiet young people who are lacking in confidence flourish. Sometimes they came to us thinking they needed to be experts in science, but having their voices heard and changing the way research is conducted helped them become more confident, articulate and passionate.
“During one meeting, the ALPHA members gave researchers feedback on a project about parents hitting their children. The group made some really great points about what may change when it becomes illegal in Wales, the researchers took this on board and used it to help shape their project application.
“It was really rewarding to see young people grow, to be able to put their points across and challenge researchers, they are the experts in their own experiences.”
Where would be without research?
“Where wouldn’t we be? We wouldn’t have the basics like paracetamol and aspirin without research. My dad wouldn’t be here without research, he wouldn’t be receiving the great care he’s getting after his stroke. I’m so grateful to the NHS for taking care of him, and to researchers for making that care possible in the first place.
“The COVID-19 vaccine also wouldn’t be possible without research, a lot of the medicines, treatments and care we get throughout our lives is because of research. I think research is vital and needed now more than ever to tackle all the problems the world currently faces.”
It’s not all work
“I spend a lot of my time outside of work being active. I enjoy spending time outdoors, either hiking up mountains, swimming in the sea, or cycling through the country lanes of south Wales - nothing too hilly though. Soon I would like to ride the length of Wales in a day, starting in Caernarfon and finishing in Chepstow, with time for a drink or two at the end.”