Title: Mobilising evidence for better health and equity through 'Health in All Policies' (HiAP) in local government
Funder: Department of Health and Social Care

Abstract: This fellowship responds to the urgent need for policy outside of health and social care to address current threats to public health. It addresses the challenge of enduring and causally complex population health problems and inequalities and how knowledge is mobilised in whole government' responses. The focus is a family of policies known as Health in All Policies (HiAP). The purpose of the work is to develop this area of KMb conceptually, theoretically and practically to promote the advancement of HiAP and to build an understanding of what and how knowledge can be mobilised. The project will collate, assess and synthesise existing bodies of knowledge mobilisation (KMb) evidence and theory in the field. New KMb theory will be generated on how high-level ideological political processes, governance structures and local ideas, knowledge and practice shape HiAP. This will then inform work to develop, test and refine techniques of KMb of HiAP through co-creation with policy stakeholders. HiAP represent a relatively new approach to public policy and has been interpreted and implemented differently across fields. Success depends on addressing several political and governance challenges. There are a growing number of examples of HiAP and an emergent body of evidence on how such approaches can be successfully implemented and sustained. Alongside this, a rich body of literature in the political sciences on policy processes offers promising, but as yet largely untapped, insight into how knowledge in the field can be mobilised. This fellowship seeks to take this opportunity to assess, synthesise and mobilise these bodies of work. This is mixed methods KMb research that includes: 1) theory synthesis, 2) participatory case studies, 3) co-creative workshops. It has three phases: Phase 1 Preparation (year 1): i) Identification of a series of case examples where HiAP have been developed. The fellow will engage in 3-5 shadowing placements in local and national government settings to scope out' how HiAP has been constructed. ii) Systematic scoping review to document the type and volume of literature available on HiAP and articulate its conceptual and theoretical framing. Phase 2 Exploration (years 2-3): i) A full theory synthesis using evidence from the scoping exercise in Phase 1 and a systematic appraisal of theories from political science on how politics and governance interact to influence policy uptake, design and implementation.ii) Case studies involving documentary analysis and interviews with policy actors to examine in detail how HiAP is developed. Phase 3 Analysis, co-creation and evaluation (years 3-4): i) Analysis of case example data ii) Development of KMb frameworks for HiAP with policy partners via workshops with stakeholders to develop guidance for policy makers and stakeholders on how HiAP can be developed, managed and put into place.ii) Development of an on-line forum to disseminate and discuss problems, practice, barriers and enablers in policy-making. This activity sits alongside an extensive training and professional development programme to help the fellow become a knowledge mobilisation expert and develop productive professional networks through which to expand the impact of this expertise.

Lay abstract: This Knowledge Mobilisation Research Fellowship looks at how knowledge about health can be made useful and relevant to local policy makers so that they consider health in their decision making. Research has shown that the environment we live in can have a big impact on our health. Things such as being employed or unemployed, having good housing and living in a low-crime neighbourhood the wider determinants of health' have a strong influence on health throughout our lives. This fellowship looks at how local policy and action outside of the NHS can be made healthier. It focuses on how policies that encourage economic growth can include health and improve the health of those who are worst off or marginalised. Inclusive growth' policies or policies that shape economic growth to benefit everyone in local areas are of particular interest. An inclusive health in all' approach to local policy is quite new and popular but often difficult to put into place. Its success depends on addressing several challenges such as working in a joined up' way across local government or in partnership with a range of organisations. These include private businesses, charities and local community organisations. There are a growing number of examples of a health in all policies' approach and researchers are beginning to understand more about how they can be successfully implemented and sustained. However, there are still important gaps in knowledge about how to make these approaches work well in practice in different settings. The fellowship has three phases: Phase 1-Preparation (year 1): 3-5 shadowing placements in local government settings to look at how local economic growth policy is made and if/how it includes health and wellbeing; A mapping of research to identify the type and volume of literature available on health in all policies' and how it is currently understood; The development of an on-line blog about the project; Setting up a consultation panel made up of members of the general public. Phase 2-Exploration (years 2-3): A review of research on how health in all policies' is understood, taking into account ideas and theories from researchers analysing politics in policy making; A series of case studies, including interviews with people involved in local policy making to examine how healthy and inclusive economic growth policy is developed. PHASE 3-Analysis, Co-Creation and Evaluation (years 3-4): Analysis of interview data and the development of case studies; Working with policy makers and members of the public to develop a clear picture of how knowledge about how health can be included in inclusive growth policy in local areas; Workshops with stakeholders to develop guidance for policy makers on how health in growth policies can be developed, managed and put into place; Dissemination through an on-line blog; also used to discuss problems, practice, barriers and enablers in policy-making and at the front-line' of making inclusive growth work in different local settings.

Research activity codes: 8.1 ORGANISATION AND DELIVERY OF SERVICES
Health categories: GENERIC HEALTH RELEVANCE