The art of public engagement in type 1 diabetes research

AIMS: Patient and public involvement (PPI) is increasingly recognised as an important component of research, while public engagement provides opportunities to communicate research and stimulate dialogue with wider audiences. In preclinical type 1 diabetes (T1D) research, complex scientific concepts can present particular barriers to engagement across different ages and experiences. METHODS: We describe two creative public engagement initiatives-a colouring book and a glass art project-and discuss how PPI and lived-experience perspectives helped shape their development. CONCLUSIONS: These examples illustrate how artistic approaches can make basic science more accessible and create opportunities for dialogue between researchers and people affected by T1D.