Public Health Wales Research and Evaluation Strategy 2023-2026 - Section 7 Overseeing the Strategy

Establishing joint ownership of the Research and Evaluation strategy across Public Health Wales and externally is essential to support successful implementation towards our goal of having a thriving research and evaluation environment addressing the major health challenges in Wales.

The Public Health Wales Research and Evaluation Strategic Oversight Group will develop and drive forwards the implementation plan for the strategy, assessing progress against the outcomes of this strategy and monitor research and evaluation activities across Public Health Wales. This group will be chaired by the Head of Research and Development and include representation from the R&D Office, Evaluation Team, Divisional/Directorate Research and Evaluation Leads (or nominated deputies) and as necessary, representation from People and Organisational Development, and Information Governance and Operations and Finance.

The Directorate / Divisional Research and Evaluation Leads will support the implementation of the strategy, with a specific focus on capacity and capability development and the review of research and evaluation priorities. Accountability and reporting will be to both the Public Health Wales Executive Team, and to the Public Health Wales Board, via the Knowledge, Research and Information Board Committee. Accountability to Welsh Government is via Health and Care Research Wales.

An external Research and Evaluation Partnership Panel will be developed focusing on maximising research and evaluation opportunities in collaboration with external research partners, and providing advice to support the development of research and evaluation leadership within Public Health Wales.

Implementation of this strategy will be guided by our principles for research and evaluation, which are strongly aligned to the five ways of working, as defined within the sustainable development principle in the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015.

5 ways of working	Guiding principles
5 ways of working Long term: The importance of balancing short-term needs with the need to safeguard the ability to also meet long-term needs.	Guiding principles We will develop and engage in research and evaluation that will make a difference to population health and align to the long-term strategic priorities for population health in Wales.
5 ways of working Prevention: How acting to prevent problems occurring or getting worse may help public bodies meet their objectives.	Guiding principles We will develop and engage in research and evaluation to prevent or mitigate poor health and wellbeing in the population and reduce inequalities.
5 ways of working Integration: Considering how the public body’s well-being objectives may impact upon each of the well-being goals, on their other objectives, or on the objectives of other public bodies.	Guiding principles We will develop and engage in research and evaluation that will make a difference to population health integrated across the strategic priorities within Public Health Wales and spanning the goals within the Well-being of Future Generations Act.
5 ways of working Collaboration: Acting in collaboration with any other person (or different parts of the body itself) that could help the body to meet its well-being objectives.	Guiding principles We will foster research and evaluation collaborations internally and externally across different organisations, disciplines and partnerships working with policy makers and practitioners.
5 ways of working Involvement: The importance of involving people with an interest in achieving the well-being goals, and ensuring that those people reflect the diversity of the area which the body serves.	Guiding principles We will develop and conduct our research and evaluation collaboratively with those likely to be affected by the research including the public.

Page last reviewed: 18th June 2026