Research at Gloucestershire County Council

Research Advisory Group

Our Research Advisory Group supports the development of a strong research culture across GCC. The group includes representatives from across all directorates. If you have questions or would like to explore collaborations, please contact the Chair Jamie Fagg (Consultant in Public Health) via publichealth@gloucestershire.gov.uk

Research Governance Process

Gloucestershire County Council welcomes research that supports better decision-making, improves services and contributes to positive outcomes for Gloucestershire residents.

Our Research Governance Framework ensures that research involving council resources is conducted safely, ethically and legally, while protecting participants, data and the council. A summary of the framework can be found here.

The framework applies to staff and external researchers who wish to use GCC data, staff, services or settings for research. It sets out the standards, responsibilities and approval process required to ensure research meets expectations for ethics, safeguarding, equality, data protection and information security.

We welcome applications from a wide range of organisations and individuals, including: academics, GCC staff, postgraduate students, researchers employed by government departments, professional bodies, commercial research companies, individual contractors or consultants, research fellows, visiting scholars.

This flowchart summarises GCC’s research governance process.

Applicants are encouraged to review the application guidance and use the screening tool to help them assess whether they require research governance approval for their project.

Applicants are expected to complete the research application form and the self-assessment risk tool and submit the complete application to DPO@gloucestershire.gov.uk

Applicants may be required to complete the Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA) form if their project is high risk and a Data Sharing Agreement (DSA) if they require access to personal and sensitive data held by the council.

All research proposals are reviewed according to their level of risk. This helps ensure that research undertaken with GCC supports council priorities, delivers public value and contributes to organisational learning and improvement. The review is expected to take a total of 6 weeks and to be conducted using the Research Review Form. 

For questions, please contact GCC Research Governance Coordinator at DPO@gloucestershire.gov.uk