Members of the public/ patients, researchers and patient and public involvement (PPI) practitioners reflected upon and re-imagined the land of research.

Mapping analogies were used to explore challenges, frustrations, opportunities and ideas for change.

Using creative methods created a space to shift perspectives of ‘the known’ which is especially valuable when bringing together individuals with different experiences and agendas – all become equal in exploring thinking around new geographies.

Furthermore, by mapping e.g. frustrations in this way participants were able to visually distance themselves from the associated frustration – the act of identifying, discussing, labelling and then moving on creating a framework for potentially challenging conversations. Quickly we were collectively able to ‘map’ the commonalities between participants with different experiences.

This was a large scale map, which included some pre-created elements (e.g. volcanoes for frustrations, mountains for challenges etc) and labels to support quick multi-layered interactions. With more time individuals could have created their own iconography with scope for a more detailed thematic analysis.

Learning lights were added post event, to highlight agreed next steps for change-making.

Funding for this work came from NIHR Centre for Engagement and Dissemination. For further information about PPI in the Primary Care Department at Oxford University, visit: https://www.phc.ox.ac.uk/ppi