Table 5 The role of publics in research priority-setting

Include publics to identify priorities

∙ Need for public involvement in priority-setting at organisational and national levels [1, 7, 15, 16, 56, 60]

∙ Descriptions of approaches to involving publics in priority-setting [48, 57,58,59]

∙ Implications of different structures and processes for involving publics in priority-setting [6, 60]

Coordinate adherence to priorities

∙ Limited engagement of publics in priority-setting

 ◦ Research funding agencies do not routinely include publics in research priority-setting [4, 19]

∙ Limitations to public involvement in redirecting research priorities

 ◦ Funding agencies in responsive mode – to policy or researchers [37]

 ◦ Public involvement threatens “established research structures, procedures and cultures” [1] and priorities of scientists [47]