From research on to research with : a bottom-up participatory approach for setting research agenda at a rural health research unit

Public health research often relies on top-down approaches that do not adequately address local needs or engage end-users as active participants. This article narrates the implementation of a bottom-up health research approach at the Model Rural Health Research Unit (MRHRU) in Puducherry, India, aimed at prioritising community participation in health research. The model leverages a participatory approach to integrate local stakeholders into the research process. The study outlines a structured, democratic process for stakeholder engagement, beginning with the identification and network-building of stakeholders and progressing through collaborative brainstorming, priority setting and project development. By aligning research initiatives with these ‘felt needs’, the MRHRU facilitates relevant and impactful health interventions. This approach, while grounded in the local context, provides a model for setting health priorities based on community perceptions, adaptable to other regions and settings, underscoring the benefits of participatory health research in eliminating health disparities and achieving health equity.