AAus_Landscape Logo_Positive_RGB
Get support
Donate

Enhancing research through meaningful consumer engagement

A guide for researchers partnering with Arthritis Australia

We work alongside researchers to embed meaningful consumer involvement across every stage of the research process, from early grant planning and priority setting through to recruitment, governance, co-design, dissemination and lived-experience impact reporting.

This page outlines how your research team can partner with us to involve people with lived experience, including our Consumer Champion Matching Service and our consumer advisory panels, workshop strategy, planning and facilitation services.

Please note: throughout this page, the terms ‘consumer engagement’, ‘consumer involvement’ and ‘lived experience’ are used interchangeably.

Quick links

A model of continuous improvement

Embedding consumer involvement in research is an evolving practice, and our approach has grown through continuous improvement. Best-practice guidelines, developed with Research Australia, were our starting point, setting the foundation for how we support meaningful consumer involvement. 

Building on that foundation, we have introduced several new initiatives: 

  • A framework for assessing research partnerships giving researchers and our team a consistent, transparent basis for shaping and evaluating each partnership. 
  • Our Consumer Champion Matching Service, connecting researchers with people who have lived experience of arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions. 
  • Consumer advisory panel, workshop strategy, planning and facilitation services, supporting deeper co-design and engagement. 
  • What is coming: we are developing a resource hub for both consumers and researchers to guide the successful and effective implementation of consumer involvement in research. 

“Involving consumers is a really big part of RESET-RA. It’s critical because we need to understand their needs and whether what we are doing is actually making a difference. It’s great to have the perspectives and ideas from somebody who lives with it every day…. Being part of a community of researchers and consumers is a very powerful thing.” 

Professor Ranjeny Thomas, The Arthritis Movement Chair of Rheumatology, Chief Investigator Reset RA

Professor Ranjeny Thomas Chief Investigator

Why involve consumers in your research

Embedding people with lived experience in your project helps you: 

  • Improve research relevance: ensuring your work addresses the most pressing needs and priorities of people with arthritis. 
  • Increase impact: translating findings into real-world improvements in quality of life, public health and therapeutic developments, and strengthening grant competitiveness. 
  • Foster collaboration: building stronger, more inclusive partnerships between researchers and consumers throughout the life of a project. 

What is an Arthritis Australia Research Champion?

Arthritis Australia Research Champions are people with lived experience of arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions who share their insights to help shape and improve research. As supported consumer partners, Champions contribute their perspectives across the research lifecycle, from setting priorities and reviewing study designs through to sitting on advisory panels and co-designing research activities. 

Through our matching service, we connect you with Champions whose experience and skills align with your project, so their contribution adds genuine value to your work. 

How Arthritis Australia partners with you

We work collaboratively with research teams to tailor support on a case-by-case basis, so the partnership is practical, meaningful and achievable. Our support spans the full research lifecycle and includes: 

  • Developing consumer involvement strategies and engagement plans. 
  • Recruiting and matching lived-experience partners through our Consumer Champion Matching Service. 
  • Facilitating advisory panels, workshops and co-design activities. 
  • Supporting governance and consumer representation. 
  • Providing onboarding, agreements and remuneration administration. 
  • Dissemination of research findings and translation into policy 
  • Reporting on lived-experience impact. 

The Arthritis Consumer Champion Matching Service

Our matching service connects you with suitable Arthritis Consumer Research Champions to support meaningful involvement in your project. We can help at every step, from identifying the best approach to involvement, through to matching champions to your project and supporting onboarding and remuneration. 

How the matching program works

1. You provide a project brief

2. Briefing session with our team

3. We develop an Expression of Interest

4. We promote it to our consumer network

5. We recruit & match (providing you a shortlist)

6. Onboarding, agreements & remuneration

7. Consumer involvement begins

Consumer advisory panels, workshops and co-design

For projects seeking deeper involvement, our Co-design Partnership provides end-to-end support for engaging people with lived experience. Beyond matching, this includes: 

  • Consumer advisory panel set-up and ongoing management: recruiting, supporting and coordinating a panel of consumers across the life of your project. 
  • Workshop strategy and planning: co-designing the approach for consumer workshops aligned to your research aims. 
  • Workshop facilitation: independent facilitation of co-design workshops or advisory group sessions. 
  • Impact reporting: capturing and reporting on the value and outcomes of consumer involvement. 
  • Evaluation reporting: working with consumer panels to evaluate and report on how effectively consumers were engaged throughout the project. 

Getting started

Email your request to research@arthritisaustralia.org.au with details of your project and the involvement you are seeking. We assess each partnership on a case-by-case basis and will work with you to shape the right approach.

Expectations for researchers

We encourage research teams to: 

  • Involve consumers early and throughout all research stages: design, implementation and dissemination. 
  • Budget for consumer remuneration in line with national best practice and ideally include more than one consumer representative in the project team. 
  • Budget for support from Arthritis Australia where the involvement sought is significant. 
  • Provide consumer support, such as orientation and mentoring, to help consumers engage confidently. 
  • Share findings in accessible formats for the arthritis community. 

Acknowledging our lived experience partners and Arthritis Australia Research Champions

We gratefully acknowledge the people with lived experience of arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions who generously share their time, insights and experiences. Their willingness to get involved helps shape the future of research and ensures it remains relevant and grounded in what matters most to the arthritis community. 

Resources

The following resources are available on this page to support your planning: 

Scroll to Top

Search