PACT Champions

PACT Champions act as voluntary local advocates and facilitators for PACT initiatives. They play a key role in promoting PACT, supporting research delivery and helping colleagues access educational opportunities.

How do I become a PACT Champion?

  • PACT will periodically open recruitment rounds for PACT Champions, announced via our newsletter. The next round will be in the month of June 2026.

  • The deadline for the June 2026 recruitment round will be 23:59 on 30th June 2026.

Apply to be a PACT Champion now!
Download the Role Specification

What will I be asked to do as a PACT Champion?

Key responsibilities of PACT Champions are as follows:

1. Advocacy & engagement

  • Act as a visible ambassador for PACT within your practice, region and networks

  • Promote the value of primary care research and encourage colleagues to join PACT and get involved

  • Share PACT updates and opportunities

  • Support the work of relevant PACT committee sub-groups (Communications, Education, New to Research)

2. Study promotion and support

  • Assist with local recruitment for the current PACT Flagship study: Accessing Continuity and other upcoming PACT studies.

  • Support the Project Leads with specific study activities for the Flagship study (for example to support participants during the data collection process)

  • Help to share the results of the PACT Flagship study

3. Educational activity

  • Support and deliver local pre-approved PACT educational sessions

  • Share knowledge and learning from PACT initiatives with colleagues

  • Contribute to developing a supportive environment for research learning and development

Time Commitment

  • Approximately 2-4 hours per month, depending on activity levels

  • Flexible and designed to fit alongside clinical or professional responsibilities

  • 12-month term with 6-month review and possibility of extension.

Benefits of the role

This is an excellent opportunity for those who are New to Research, to build confidence and skills in a supported environment and those already involved in research who want to work with PACT, develop their network and champion Primary Care Research.

  • Opportunity to contribute to high-impact primary care research

  • Development of leadership, teaching and research skills

  • Networking opportunities across a national collaborative

  • Recognition as a local leader in research engagement (media + certificate)

  • Opportunities to get involved in wider PACT activities

Skills & attributes

You do not need any prior research experience to become a PACT champion. However, we expect that you will have or develop the following skills or attributes:

  • Verbal and written communication skills

  • Networking skills

  • Teamwork and collaboration

  • Time management, including punctuality and organisation

  • Basic digital and IT skills

  • A basic understanding of the structure and organisation of primary care and primary care research.

Training & support

PACT Champions will receive the following training and support:

  • Initial onboarding and a role briefing

  • Access to relevant training and resources

  • Guidance from central coordinators for general queries

  • Guidance from project co-leads for study specific queries

  • Opportunities to connect and collaborate with other PACT champions

Expectations

  • Agree to commit to fulfilling key responsibilities, as outlined in this document. Champions should complete a range of activities, demonstrating involvement across the different domains of the role:

    • Advocacy & engagement

    • Study promotion and support

    • Education activity

  • Complete ‘Intro to PACT Research’ Certificate (approx. 3 hrs of free online learning)

  • Attend regular bimonthly (every 2 months) meetings for PACT champions and any additional meetings as appropriate (i.e. regarding the Flagship study).

  • Complete ‘Statement of Contribution’ at the end of the year. Upon review of successful completion of PACT support and advocacy activities, a certificate of contribution will be issued.

  • All PACT Champions should act professionally and in line with PACT values and constitution.

  • Networking & liaising via relevant local opportunities (i.e. events, conferences etc.) and organisations (i.e. local research networks and infrastructure for e.g. in England, this may be RRDN)

This is a voluntary role, therefore Champions are not expected to independently lead or manage research studies. Complex research queries should be escalated to the PACT team or study leads.

Engagement will be reviewed regularly so that PACT champions can be supported to meet these expectations.