SPECTRUM Research Consortium Place-Based Citizen’s Juries Recruitment and Facilitation

Descriptions

Consumption of tobacco, alcohol and foods high in salt, sugar and fat (HFSS) are important and avoidable causes of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and of health inequalities in the UK and worldwide. This consumption is driven by complex systems of production, distribution and promotion dominated by transnational companies. The Shaping Public health policies To Reduce inequalities and harm (SPECTRUM) Consortium is a multi-university, multi-agency research consortium focusing on the commercial determinants of health and health inequalities. We are funded by the UK Prevention Research Partnership. SPECTRUM conducts innovative research into the systems that are constructed by unhealthy commodity producers (UCPs) and through which they operate. SPECTRUM transforms understanding of these systems and translation of findings into prevention policy and practice. We seek to address fragmentation in research across UCPs and to avoid a focus on lifestyle ‘choices’. By conducting research about policies and practices to tackle ways in which such UCP’s (such as companies) drive NCDs, we contribute to advancing understanding of the commercial determinants of health. As part of our research, we will hold a number of citizens' juries, which are a form of democratic engagement known as a ‘mini-public’ and are intended to create a space for dialogue and deliberation between a representative sample of members of the public, research evidence and policy. The aim of SPECTRUM’s citizens’ juries is to explore public views about the impacts of commercial activities relating to tobacco, alcohol, and ultra-processed food on health and to consider how governments should respond. The juries will discuss the issues and make recommendations on policy options to minimise harm from unhealthy commodities based on their thoughts and discussions during the jury meetings. We wish to contract a company to undertake and oversee the project management, co-design and recruitment of the citizen juries. Project management is inclusive of overall management and team meetings. Design includes the design of programme of the citizen juries’ meetings, and stimulus materials for the juries and jurors. The process of participant recruitment includes the recruitment design, management of recruitment as well as liaison with the final jury members. Recruitment also includes the payments to jury members. Both citizens’ juries will be held in a central location in Glasgow that is accessible via public transport.