Evidence from across the UK highlights several challenges to the effectiveness and impact of P&C research (12-19). For example, a review of peer research in the youth sector in London found a lack of capacity to deliver effective, appropriate, and accredited training for P&C researchers (20). The knowledge gaps and challenges in implementation mean that collaboration between P&C researchers and organisations, even with good intentions, can sometimes lead to P&C researchers feeling disempowered and their participation remaining only at a surface level throughout the research process (19).
Our literature review indicates a need to review P&C research activities in Tower Hamlets and to develop a sustainable system for P&C research. Without such a system, the full potential of health and health inequalities research in Tower Hamlets - particularly the development of local solutions to address inequalities - cannot be fully realised.