Ms Lucy Musson

I am the Public Involvement Lead for the NIHR Research Design Service for Yorkshire and Humber (RDS YH), having joined the RDS YH in December 2020. I graduated in 2015 with a first class BSc degree in Psychology from the University of Sheffield before undertaking an MSc in Clinical Neurology at SITraN where I obtained a distinction. I have experience carrying out qualitative, quantitative and mixed-methods research as part of NIHR-funded grants. My thesis project involved carrying out interviews with members of the Sheffield Motor Neurone Disorders Research Advisory Group and researchers and clinicians who had worked with the group to explore public involvement in motor neuron disease research. I have also worked on a randomised controlled trial (Journeying through Dementia) that aimed to assess the effectiveness of a psychosocial intervention for people in the early stages of dementia. Following on from this, I worked in SITraN as a Research Assistant where I led the day-to-day running of a mixed-methods research project that aimed to enhance the efficacy of non-invasive ventilation for people living with motor neuron disease. I also worked on a project that explored the impact of COVID-19 on MND care from the perspective of healthcare professionals, care centre coordinators and people living with motor neuron disease.

In my role as Public Involvement Lead for the RDS YH, I provide advice for researchers applying for research grants and fellowships, including how to embed meaningful public involvement throughout their research. I chair the RDS YH Public Involvement Forum which is a group of people made up of members of the public and health and social care professionals who all have an interest in public involvement. I also chair the RDS YH Public Involvement Funding panel and deliver presentations and workshops to researchers, students and organisations on the role of the RDS YH and how to involve the public in research.