The University of Limerick Public and Patient Involvement (PPI) Summer School is for anyone who wants to increase their knowledge about public and patient involvement in research. We welcome participation from a broad range of people including researchers, community and patient organisations, students, PPI contributors, funders and health service providers & policy makers. Our aim is to come together for learning, discussion, networking and relationship building.

The PPI Summer Summer School is a mix of keynote talks and interactive workshops. It is suitable for anyone new to PPI and for those who are more experienced.

Travel & accommodation information

We are committed to making the PPI Summer School as accessible as possible. Please get in touch as soon as possible with any requirements or questions you may have. Email: ppi-ignite@ul.ie

A small number of grants are available to facilitate the participation of interested patient/carer/community members without access to alternative sources of funding. This will cover the cost of registration, travel and accommodation as needed. Grants will be allocated on a first come first served basis. Please contact us for further information. Email: ppi-ignite@ul.ie - Update: applications are now closed for the grants

The PPI Summer School is part-funded by the Health Research Board Conference & Event Sponsorship Scheme.

DAY 1 PROGRAMME - 23rd June 2022

9.00 – 9.45: Registration

9.45 – 10.00: Summer School Opening Welcome Address with Jon Salsberg, University of Limerick

10.00 – 10.45: Keynote - Building capacity for meaningful public and patient involvement in research in Ireland: the PPI Ignite Network with Seán Dinneen, NUI Galway

10.45 – 11.15: Break

11.15 – 1.15: Parallel Session 1

• Introduction to Participatory Health Research for PPI with Jon Salsberg, UL
• Arts-Based Methods in PPI Health Research with Helen Phelan & Fran Garry, UL
• Developing a PPI Panel, UL Ageing Research Centre

1.15 – 2.15: Lunch

2.15 – 4.15: Parallel Session 2

• Participatory research toolkit: creative research methods for meaningful engagement with Kim Ozano, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine
• Incorporating PPI in a grant application with Anne Cody, Health Research Board

5.00 – 7.00: Summer School BBQ at The Pavilion, University of Limerick

DAY 2 PROGRAMME - 24th June 2022

9.15 – 10.00: Keynote - Storytelling and PPI Policy with Anne Drabczyk, Fulbright Specialist -Fulbright Commission USA & University of Limerick

10.00 – 10.30: Break

10.30 – 11.15: Plenary - PPI Lightning Talks

Short talks on topics related to PPI in research and followed by audience discussion. Lighting Talks are designed to raise awareness, generate interest, share an idea or an innovation. Speakers to be announced. Facilitator: Avril Kennan, Health Research Charities Ireland.

11.15 – 1.15: Parallel Session 3

• Putting the ‘co’ into co-research with Ailsa Donnelly, Graham Prestwich, Jess Drinkwater, Martin Rathfelder, Michael Kelly, and Robina Mir
• PPI for Inclusion Health with Anne MacFarlane, UL; Clíona Ní Cheallaigh, TCD; Éidín Ní Shé, RCSI
• Dilemma Café – Exploring your key questions in PPI practice with Anne Drabczyk & Úna McInerney

1.15: Lunch - Summer School ends

Please note the programme above may be subject to change.

Venue

Link to Campus Map:

Health Sciences is number 32 on the map, the nearest car parks are P25, P26, P27 & P28. P25 is the nearest for those with accessibility needs.

Traveling to UL

Bus:

• Dublin Coach offer cheap bus journeys via Route 300 M7 Express: Dublin ↔ Ennis / Killarney / Tralee via Limerick which stops in the University of Limerick (Online Booking offers discounts & guaranteed seats)
• Bus Éireann: Main Limerick City Centre bus service (allows Leap Card use) 304 & 304A are the main bus for in and out of the University of Limerick. Access Limerick bus map here. They stop at the student centre in UL (number 16 on the Campus Map). To get to the Health Sciences Building, make your way to the Living Bridge (number 31 on Map) and walk across – the Health Sciences Building is the first on the right-hand side.
• Midlands to Limerick: Route 72 Bus goes from Athlone Bus Station to Limerick Bus Station. The Hurlers Bus stop is closest to UL and is approximately a 30 minute walk to the venue.
• Cork – Limerick – Galway: Route 51 stops at Cork/Limerick/Galway bus station

Train:

Iarnród Éireann: Colbert Station is Limerick’s local station and is in the City Centre. The 304/304A bus service go from Colbert Station to the University of Limerick.

Taxi:

• Free Now (mytaxi) is an app you can download on your phone for booking taxis
• Plassey Cabs – 061 336 336
• Treaty Cabs – 061 415 544
• Limerick Taxis – Book online or call 061 417 417/061 31 88 44

Airport to University:

Details of how to get to UL from Shannon/Dublin/Cork Airports are available here

Accommodation

**Please note all accommodation is subject to availability and is likely to be busy at this time of year. We strongly recommend early booking**

Hotels:

• Castletroy Park Hotel Situated just near the main University entrance. Please note that CPH offer a UL rate of €99 per person per night. Contact reservations@castletroypark.ie and mention that you are booking through the University of Limerick to access the cheaper rate.
• Travelodge: Limerick Castletroy lodge is 10 min drive from the UL Health Sciences building. Prices vary from €89 per night.
• Kilmurry Lodge Hotel: 7-minute drive to the Health Sciences Building
• Limerick Strand Hotel: Located in the City Centre, 5 min walk from 304/A bus stops.

B&B

Castle Moor: 061 330 789, Located on Dublin Road, Castletroy

Twin Oaks B&B: 061 311 663, Located on Dublin Road, Castletroy

Mount Gerard B & B: 061 314 981, Located near City Centre, right beside 304/A bus stops