Opportunity to join the project team for the co-produced Mathematical Modelling of Epidemics Together (COMMET) project

Introduction and context for the project

Epidemics happen when we have an increasing spread of an infectious disease through a population. The scale and character of an epidemic is dependent on multiple factors, including biological, behavioural and social factors. Infectious disease models use mathematics to represent the relationships between these factors to understand how an epidemic might progress. These models can be used to inform health and social care activities, and policy choices made by governments around the world. They can also tell us how these choices might influence how the epidemic progresses. Infectious disease models are increasingly used to inform policymaking.

Risks from different infections can vary between different groups of people, and infectious diseases can often spread rapidly through one or several communities because of high levels of close contact people have with each other, or because people are not already immune to the disease. Examples of this include children and the flu virus, or healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. It is particularly important for us to involve people from such groups in research because we want the policies and activities that we propose to stop the spread of the disease to be acceptable to, and appropriate for, the people most affected by them.

What we are doing

The COMMET project is a new, two-year research project based at University College London, starting in January 2025. The project will explore how we can co-produce mathematical infectious disease models that reflect the reality of the complex factors affecting the spread of a disease. It will also answer research questions that communities affected by epidemic threats see as a priority. We want to understand more about the context behind why and how models get made and share our learning and tools across different disciplines and sectors.

We are using Mpox, a viral illness caused by the monkeypox virus, as a demonstration model for this project. This is because it is one of the most recently identified “Public Health Emergencies of International Concern” by the World Health Organisation. It is a good example to pilot co-production and is of ongoing concern both in the UK and globally. We will bring together charities, public bodies, researchers from a range of different fields and people who have been affected by Mpox.

We are supporting the COMMET team to co-produce mathematical epidemic models about Mpox and develop guidance that will enable broader co-production of epidemic modelling in future and that can be applied to other epidemics.

About the role

We are looking for two people to join our team and help co-produce this project.

Ideally you will be passionate about making a positive difference to how epidemics affect diverse groups in society.

You do not need to have a background in mathematical modelling or infectious diseases. Support and training will be provided throughout your involvement in this project.

Responsibilities include:

• Reviewing and providing feedback on aspects of the project as needed
• Being an active part of COMMET core research team meetings, sharing your reflections and experiences as relevant.
• Advising on the overall direction of the research programme with the rest of the team
• Helping to inform the methods, processes, and ways of working as a team for the COMMET project and Advisory Board.
• Sharing their knowledge and experience to help shape the direction of the project

What is the time commitment?

Each of the co-producers need to be available for 16 hours per month. This will be made up of two 2-hour meetings per month plus preparation time. As well as time outside of meetings for you to review materials and provide any feedback you have.

There is currently no set time for the regular project team meetings, and we will try our best to find a time that works for everyone. Please let us know when you express an interest if there are any regular days or times you are not able to commit to.

The COMMET project will run until end of December 2026, and we hope that you would like to be involved for the entire project.

About you

We are using Mpox as a demonstration model for this project. In the UK this has mostly affected men, or people assigned male at birth who have sex with men, so we are particularly looking for individuals from these groups - you may identify as Gay, Bi, Pan, Queer or Straight and you might identify as genderqueer or as cisgender.

In addition, we are ideally looking for people who can identify with one or more of the following:

• An individual from a racially minoritised community.
• An individual who is based outside of London.
• A Trans or Non-binary person.
• Someone with some experience of working on co-produced projects.

What we offer

As well as supporting the co-production of research to inform mathematical modelling for infectious diseases, joining our team as a co-producer has the following benefits:

1. Remuneration (£25 per hour) for meetings and preparation*. We can also offer to cover the following costs if agreed in advance:
   • Travel (if meetings are in person)
   • £5 per 2-hour meeting to cover internet costs
   • Carer and childcare costs
   • Other access requirements
   • Optional authorship and/or acknowledgment within project reports and publications to which you contribute.
2. Optional authorship and/or acknowledgment within project reports and publications to which you contributed  

You will also be supported by Co-Production Collective staff members (in advance and during meetings), to ensure that everyone can participate fully in the meetings.

Our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

We are committed to providing equality of opportunity, being fair and inclusive, and a place where we all belong and are valued. We therefore actively encourage applications from global majority backgrounds who are underrepresented in our community and at UCL, including but not exclusive to non-graduates; disabled, D/deaf and neurodivergent people; LGBTQ+ people; and people from Black, Asian and minoritised ethnic communities.

Further details and how to express an interest

To express your interest, please send an email to coproduction@ucl.ac.uk by Monday 6 January 10am letting us know:

1. What has motivated you to apply to be a co-producer on the COMMET project? [max 250 words]
2. Why you think you would be a good fit for this role? [max 250 words].

In this email please include your contact email address and your full name.

We will choose applications based on your answers to the questions and how they meet the experience required for the role.

We will be in touch as soon as possible after the 6 January 10 am deadline. If you need assistance submitting your application, or have any queries about the role, please contact us on coproduction@ucl.ac.uk

If you would like any further information about Mpox and the latest public health advice, you can read more on this blog.

* This rate is different to that of the updated Co-Production Collective Payment policy 2024 as it is the rate that was applied for when funding application budgets were submitted

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