The BRC Oxford Patient and Public Advisory Group comprises patients, carers and other members of the public representing different themes of the BRC. The group aims to facilitate patient and public involvement across all themes and to offer support, advice and training, working in partnership with researchers to identify and maximise opportunities for meaningful involvement across BRC Oxford themes.
For more information or to get advice from the group, please email: GetinvolvedOBRC@ouh.nhs.uk or Rachel.Taylor@ouh.nhs.uk.
Carra Anni
“During my time as a Primary Care Research Nurse at the Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, I had the privilege of contributing to two landmark COVID-19 studies: the PANORAMIC trial and the PRINCIPLE trial—the world’s largest clinical trial of COVID-19 treatments for patients recovering at home, with a special focus on those most at risk of serious illness.
The pandemic left a profound and lasting impact on me, as it did for so many. Witnessing the challenges faced by patients and communities first-hand strengthened my determination to make a real difference. One day, while checking my emails, I spotted an advertisement seeking new members for the Oxford Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) group. I knew immediately that this was the right opportunity I had been looking for.
Joining the group gave me a way to extend my impact beyond my nursing role. It allowed me to step into my patients’ shoes, represent their perspectives, promote inclusivity, and ensure their voices truly shape research. Since becoming a member, I have remained an active PPI representative, drawing on my clinical knowledge and frontline experience to champion meaningful patient and public involvement in health research.”
Corina Cheeks
“I was introduced to PPI by accident, around five years ago through an online advert seeking participants. I quickly learnt that there are many areas where minority ethnic groups are not adequately represented in research. I have since advocated for transparency and inclusion in research, especially for those underrepresented in our communities. In my role as a Marketing Manager, I have been privy to behavioural research and how our experiences and backgrounds can influence our beliefs and ability to trust medical professionals. I am interested in helping to break down barriers to ensure fair treatment for all, no matter their background.”
Peter Deussen
“I’ve been an active member of the Oxford PPI Group since beginning of 2025. As a COPD patient with the Oxford Churchill Hospital Respiratory Clinic for the past 12 years I wanted to put something positive back into the NHS and help new medical research and patient care. During the past year I have also been a COPD patient adviser, working with Roche, GSK and GAAPP (Global Allergy & Airways Patient Platform) in helping other COPD patients deal with their disease and it’s complications such as exacerbations and viral infections like RSV. I am looking forward to more opportunities that the Oxford PPI group might require my participation.”
Sue Duncombe
“My interest in research started when my husband was diagnosed and later died of prostate cancer. I’ve developed PPI plans for research submissions, facilitated PPI workshops to ensure researchers get the input they need from PPI contributors and have provided feedback on research proposals. With the cancer lead nurse we have recently set up a PPI group to provide a lay perspective to researchers from people affected by cancer, across all stages of the research cycle from concept to dissemination.”
Jenny Gould
“I became involved as a PPI with the Musculo-Skeletal Trauma Team 4 ½ years ago, following a number of orthopaedic operations. My background is in stress management and psychotherapy. An especially satisfying project was the James Lind Alliance PSP, focusing on fragility fractures of the lower limb. A national survey of patients, carers, and healthcare staff collected opinions on all aspects of lower limb fragility fracture care. These were whittled down to a Top 10 list of research questions. Scientific papers were published, quickly resulting in new research projects.”
Mark Jennings
“Originally qualified as a Chartered Engineer, I have over 40 years’ experience as a senior manager and leader at all levels of the healthcare system. Previous roles include Operations Director of a major acute trust, National Programme Lead at the Department of Health, Programme Director at the NHS Institute at the University of Warwick, lead for a Prime Minister’s Delivery Unit review and Director of Healthcare Improvement at the King’s Fund, London. The focus of my work and expertise is now supporting local and national NHS organisations with improving services and increasing productivity. In 2014 I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, and now play a very active role in the Oxford branch of Parkinson’s UK. I represent the Neurology theme on the BRC PPI Advisory Group.”
Richard Mandunya
“I have a passion for better Health Service delivery through research. It is therefore imperative for me to contribute to this goal for the common good.
My years of experience in public participation enable me to contribute to the narrative as a service user. I also was widely involved in campaigns within the social housing sector, the Clinical Commissioning Groups, NHS England, and NHS Health Trusts.
Further international projects I have participated in include the International Learning Collaborative, as well as the GetReal Focus Group under the auspices of International Alliance of Patient Organizations.”
Magdalen Wind-Mozley
“I live in Newbury, and I have two children aged sixteen and nineteen. I’m a school governor and enthusiastic volunteer at local schools and in my community. I have been lucky enough to have done involvement work around vaccines for 11 years, more recently with the NIHR Biomedical Research Centre: Oxford, and as chair of the Diversity in Research Group. I have a background in science, and worked as a forensic scientist (which I genuinely loved; working in both casework and Research & Development).”
How the group makes a difference to research
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