Conducting research priority setting in multisectoral contexts: A case study on sustainability and health services

Background: Addressing global challenges requires effective multisectoral collaboration in research priority setting, particularly in sustainability and health services. The integration of diverse stakeholder perspectives is crucial for impactful research agendas. Objective: The workshop aims to demonstrate effective strategies for multisectoral research priority setting, engaging stakeholders from health, social services, environmental sciences, and beyond. It focuses on consensus development and prioritising research agendas for sustainability and health service improvements. Description and Activities/Interaction Plans.: The workshop will be using a combination of lectures along with role-playing, and observations. It will start with a series of presentation on key methods in research priority setting, followed by an immersive exercise. Volunteers from the participants will be invited to play a role of stakeholder of various countries with a brief on the health services issues, particularly in coastal communities affected by climate change. Others would be observers and ethnographers and one or two people will be facilitators. At the end of the exercise, the group will reflect on challenges and issues that need to be considered running these priority setting exercises. This participatory approach aims to reflect the real-world complexities of multisectoral research coordination. The case scenarios are co-developed with local communities in UK and Philippines, ensuring relevance and inclusivity. Community engagement continues to shape the workshop, with the plans to include community representatives directly in the facilitation process, subject to fundings for travel. Participants will gain insights into the challenges of multisectoral research priority setting, emphasising the importance of stakeholder engagement, consensus building, and diverse perspectives in research agendas. This practical experience aims to highlight the collaborative and deliberative approaches necessary for effective research prioritisation. The workshop bridges theoretical knowledge with practical application, advancing multisectoral research priority setting. It highlights the need for collaborative approaches to tackle the challenges of sustainability and health services, contributing to evidence-based practice and policy-making discourse. Relevance: Contributing to the sustainable development agenda, this workshop supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, embodying collaboration and innovation in global evidence-based health care, education, and social welfare.