Title: Engaging work and health practitioners to embed research into practice to improve workforce health, influence business decisions and drive economic productivity. The ENGAGE Study.

Aim: To co-design an action plan that enhances practitioner engagement with research, equipping them with the knowledge, skills and confidence to apply evidence in practice and to support the dissemination of evidence to business leaders to influence workforce health and economic participation.

What the research will involve:

An exploratory mixed method study comprising three iterative work packages (WPs).

1. Focus group and engagement events to gather different perspectives from a variety of work and health practitioners, researchers, and senior leaders. (WP1)

2. National survey of work and health practitioners to help us understand how practitioners see their skills and confidence in accessing and using evidence to both inform their practice and influence senior leaders. We will look to discover obstacles and opportunities seen in accessing and using evidence. (WP2)

3. Co-development of a roadmap for practitioner engagement. We will arrange a round table event to share findings from the engagement events and national survey, and explore the shared and unique obstacles and opportunities held by different stakeholders. (WP3)

What has the study found: Data collection is currently in progress. Key findings will be shared in mid-2026.

Study Team: Prof Jo Yarker, Dr Vaughan Parsons, Dr Karen Pratt, Dr Kathleen Lin, Ms Hannah Musiyarira, Ms Libby Morley-Hassanali.

For further information: hannah.musiyarira@affinityhealthatwork.com

Funders: National Institute of Healthhannah.musiyarira@affinityhealthatwork.com and Care Research