What is the TRUUD project?
TRUUD is a 5-year research programme (Oct 2019 – Sept 2024) seeking to understand how prevention of Non-Communicable Diseases, such as cancers, diabetes, respiratory illness and mental ill health (including those linked to air pollution, and the climate and ecological emergencies) might be more fully considered in decision-making for new urban environments. It brings together researchers across five universities, with expertise in public health, urban development, economics, policy studies, management/business studies, systems engineering, and public engagement.
A detailed information sheet about the TRUUD project can be viewed here.
Click here to watch a version of this video with Somali subtitles
What is TRUUD doing at Frome Gateway?
Bristol City Council is a partner of TRUUD and Bristol is a case study area for the research project, alongside Manchester and Greater Manchester Combined Authority.
Anna Le Gouais is the Researcher-in-Residence in Bristol City Council, working on the Frome Gateway regeneration project. Anna’s role is to bridge between the universities and the council, to enable relevant and impactful research to improve population health.
As part of the Frome Gateway project team Anna is learning from people involved in the project to understand about factors influencing decision-making for urban development, using Frome Gateway as a case study.
Anna, with TRUUD research colleagues, has provided evidence about the impacts to health and wellbeing from changing the environment. This has helped to influence development of the Frome Gateway Regeneration framework to support healthier communities.
TRUUD has also been working with local people and Bristol City Council to support meaningful public engagement. This has included focus group discussions with local community members. Insights from these have influenced the regeneration framework consultation activities.
What research data will be collected, how and how will it be used?
As an embedded researcher Anna will engage with a range of local authority officers, partner organisations, private sector developers and members of the public to understand decision-making processes and provide insights to the TRUUD research team for design of activities to support creation of healthy environments. Anna may take notes in meetings or following events and anonymised summaries of issues, reflections on attitudes and topics to explore further may be shared with other TRUUD researchers, whilst adhering to confidentiality requirements.
Can I decline to have my input noted as part of the TRUUD research?
If attendees do not wish for specific conversations to be noted, then they may request them not to be included within notes and Anna will fully adhere to these requests. During these interactions Anna will ensure sensitive material remains confidential, with all research data stored on University of Bristol IT systems. No identifiable information of individuals or names of external organisations will be shared externally, including names of developers or members of the public.
Research findings will periodically be shared with Bristol City Council and other external organisations where requested. Research findings will be published in academic journals and conferences, and accessible summaries produced for wider dissemination. No individuals or third-party organisations will be identified in any research findings. This is in accordance with the ethics application approved by University of Bristol’s Faculty of Health Sciences Research Ethics Committee (REF: 94162).
Other TRUUD activities
The wider TRUUD research programme involves over 200 interviews and 20 workshops with public, private and third sector stakeholders to understand the system of urban development decision-making. The project will develop, test and refine interventions for improved population health associated with urban development. TRUUD will also be holding annual conferences, industry roundtables and parliamentary events to invite wider engagement. For more information and to get involved see https://truud.ac.uk.
Research consortium
Research funders
