'Building bridges': reflections and recommendations for co-producing health research

Area of Science:

• Health Research
• Participatory Inquiry
• Co-production Methodologies

Background:

• Co-produced research involves stakeholders and researchers collaborating on all research stages.
• This participatory approach is increasingly adopted in health research but faces institutional challenges.

Discussion:

• Three co-produced research studies in HIV, mental health, and disability research shared insights.
• A workshop used the 'building bridges' metaphor to illustrate co-production journeys.
• Key principles for effective co-production were identified from shared experiences.

Key Insights:

• Be kind, have fun, and learn from each other.
• Share power equitably among all participants.
• Foster connections and maintain open communication using clear language.

Outlook:

• Co-produced research requires dedicated funding, resources, and flexibility for impact.
• Teams must address power dynamics, ensuring transparency, fairness, and ethical conduct.
• Prioritizing equality, diversity, inclusion, and valuing all team members' expertise is crucial.