Natalie Simon

The role of the Involving People Officer:

To recruit, train and support Involving People Network members, to facilitate the participation of network members in all parts of the research process for individual studies and to recruit, train and support the Advisory Group. To liaise with Thematic Research Networks, INVOLVE and other groups associated with the UKCRNs and to Promote Involving People among stakeholder groups by attending meetings, giving presentations, writing newsletter articles and other activities. To produce guidance information on involving people for researchers, research managers and patients, service users and carers involved in research governance.

What I did before Involving People:

I graduated from Cardiff University with a BSc in Psychology in 2002. I then moved to London to work in the Research Office of the Stroke Association. I took some time out to travel the world and then returned to London to work in the Populations and Public Health research department at the Wellcome Trust. In 2007 my husband and I moved back to Cardiff and I started my current role within Involving People. I have recently returned to work following maternity leave.

What I want to do, but haven’t done yet:

My big dream is for my family to build our own eco house and live self sufficiently. I would love to dive in the Azores! And I would love to learn to ski.

Favourite famous quotation:

"I am a Bear of Very Little Brain, and long words bother me" Winnie the Pooh.