Public Engagement with Research is a two-way process that aims to benefit both the public and researchers, and ultimately enhance the quality or impact of research. Members of the public can be involved in many ways, in the design, conduct and dissemination of research. Activities can take different forms, to inform and inspire, consult and listen, or collaborate with the public.
Why the Way We Use Antibiotics Matters More Than We Think
3 March 2026
Antimicrobial resistance is a growing global threat driven by everyday antibiotic use, especially in informal healthcare settings. In rural Vietnam, women caregivers often rely on antibiotics to manage common symptoms amid limited healthcare access. Collab Lab highlights how social context, uncertainty and caregiving pressures shape antibiotic decisions and contribute to rising resistance.
My mission is to strengthen women’s futures in Congo and Africa through education and partnerships
20 February 2026
Sarah Mugoli Balekage’s journey from the Democratic Republic of Congo to Oxford University is driven by faith and a commitment to empowering women through education. An Africa Oxford Initiative Scholar, she is pursuing African studies to advance social entrepreneurship and community advocacy, aiming to promote unity, development and opportunity across Africa.
Back by popular demand: The AMR Circus!
30 January 2026
Following the success of the Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Circus in Cambodia during May 2025, the Phare Ponleu Selpak (Brightness of the Arts) School students were back with new performances in Jan 2026.
Who held the microphone during the health crisis? A case study from Indonesia
8 July 2025
How participatory mapping helped identify trusted voices in health crisis communication during Indonesia’s COVID-19 response? This article highlights the role of public trust, local leadership, and culturally relevant messaging in shaping more inclusive and effective communication strategies for future outbreaks.
Using effective media strategies to bridge gaps to hard-to-reach populations: case studies in Vietnam and Indonesia
25 June 2025
OUCRU has developed culturally tailored strategies to improve vaccine communication and uptake in diverse communities across Vietnam and Indonesia. From training village health collaborators and co-creating storytelling films in Dak Lak to animated videos for malaria trial recruitment among Indonesian soldiers, these efforts highlight the power of locally relevant, creative engagement. By addressing structural barriers, cultural sensitivities and trust, OUCRU’s initiatives demonstrate how community-informed approaches can enhance public health research and support better health outcomes.
Circus arts shine spotlight on AMR in Cambodian communities
4 June 2025
In May 2025, circus performances were used to educate Cambodian youth on the correct use of antibiotics. Misuse of antibiotics is a major driver of bacterial antimicrobial resistance (AMR) worldwide. The wide availability of antibiotics over the counter in Cambodia and linguistic issues make it difficult for younger Cambodians to understand when antibiotic use is appropriate.
MORU-Oxford Engagement Meeting
8 April 2025
On 27 March, members of the Public and Community Engagement with Research (PCER) team at the University of Oxford met with MORU colleagues and other engagement colleagues from the University. The session focused on sharing strategies for community engagement, evaluating engagement, and exploring opportunities for future collaboration.
AMR booklet by Shuma Banik
3 December 2024
IHTM alumna, Shuma Banik, has written and painted a booklet about the growing problem of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in Assam, India.
The Important Role of Young People in Tackling AMR
20 November 2024
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a growing global health and socioeconomic crisis. Regardless of its impact on human and animal health, food production, and the environment that could happen to everyone, everywhere, there’s still much to be done to raise public and stakeholder awareness. A global online survey of nearly 200 stakeholders from human, animal, plant, and environmental health sectors also highlighted the need for increased public awareness and action.
Dialogue drama on adolescent pregnancy in a marginalised migrant population on the Thailand-Myanmar border
20 November 2024
A participatory-action approach involving community members and adolescents resulted in a dialogue-drama on adolescent pregnancy, contraception, and choice in the event of an unplanned pregnancy. The dialogue-drama augmented discussion of traditionally taboo issues and this ethnographic method is potentially useful for similar global health settings.
Forum Theatre: Exploring Community’s Power and Raising Awareness
23 October 2024
Forum Theatre, a branch of the so-called Theatre of the Oppressed, is an interactive and participatory form of theatre developed by Brazilian theatre practitioner Augusto Boal in the 1970s. This unique approach has the potential to explore a community’s voice and raise awareness by empowering people with a tool that encourages them to change reality through their own suggestions for real social issues.
Youth Ambassadors Aim to Raise Tetanus Awareness Through Public and Community Engagement Activities
24 September 2024
OUCRU Youth Science Ambassadors (YSA) project, launched in 2021, has become a key youth engagement activities of OUCRU’s Public and Community Engagement Group. Becoming part of the project, young participants are empowered to lead, propose, plan, and execute their own initiatives addressing specific issues they identify themselves.
KWTRP exhibits at the Kenya National Research Festival 2024
12 September 2024
KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme (KWTRP) hosted an exhibition as part of the British High Commission Pavilion during the Kenya National Research Festival 2024. Under the theme “Research Partnerships and collaborations for Socio-Economic Transformation” the festival aimed to raise awareness about the diverse spectrum of research activities in Kenya and internationally encouraging collaboration.
Community Engagement and Involvement: Enhancing Research Impact
31 July 2024
At OUCRU, we have integrated public and community engagement projects into our research program since 2011. But what exactly is community engagement (and involvement), and why is it important to global health research? Let’s take a look at the summary of a new free course on MESH, a community engagement knowledge and professional support hub by The Global Health Network, and the research outputs made by and led by community members at OUCRU throughout the years to find out.
Visit MalariaWorld
24 July 2024
The Malariaworld exhibition was developed in conjunction with World Malaria Day 2024 to raise awareness of malaria and malaria research, and to highlight some of our contributions to malaria research. You can now visit our virtual exhibition!
OUCRU welcomed ASEAN Social Impact Program students for a Science Visit
31 May 2024
On 31st May, the Public and Community Engagement Group at OUCRU re-launched the Science Visit project. This event saw 25 enthusiastic students from Vietnam, Brunei, Singapore, the Phillipines, and Cambodia. This student group is a part of the ASEAN Social Impact Program (ASIP), visit OUCRU. They joined a lab tour and participated in several group games centered around the clinical trials process.
Nurturing Future Generations’ Passion for Science through Engagement with Children and Teachers
30 May 2024
At OUCRU, we believe that science can excite and inspire children, contribute to their understanding of the world, and present opportunities for life skill development. The better children understand and appreciate science, the better-informed decisions they can make throughout their lives.
Public and Community Engagement to Support Vaccine Research
1 May 2024
The Public and Community Engagement group at OUCRU has a strong commitment to community engagement, particularly in the field of vaccine research. Let’s look at some featured projects in all OUCRU’s local offices, spreading out from typhoid in Nepal to TB in Vietnam.
Visit our exhibition: Malariaworld
17 April 2024
The Malariaworld exhibition has been developed for World Malaria Day 2024 to raise awareness of malaria and malaria research. We highlight some of the Nuffield Department of Medicine’s contributions to malaria research. Come and visit our exhibition at the John Radcliffe Academic Centre, 22-29 April 2024.
OUCRU celebrates World Health Worker Week 2024
3 April 2024
In the 1st week of April each year, the global community comes together to celebrate health workers, the backbone of the health industry and society. This year, the theme is #SafeSupportedHealthWorkers. The Frontline Health Workers Coalition and its partners are leading the effort. The goal is to unite advocates, health workers, leaders, and communities worldwide to call for investment, protection, and support for the health workforce. This is especially important in low—and middle-income countries.