Table 1 Summary table
Themes/subthemes | Key findings | Proposed actions for research institutions and funders |
|---|---|---|
Understanding of research codesign Definition and terminologies Underpinning values Codesign vs consultation Advantages and disadvantages | Mixed views on how to define and best terminology to use Agreement on underpinning principles of mutual respect, empowerment, power sharing and engagement Perceived benefits for both researchers and communities including research quality and impact Complexity of codesign process and the need for additional time and resources | Capacity building Assessment of knowledge gaps/educational needs Teaching codesign topics and examples to undergraduate and postgraduate students Training workshops for researchers Mentoring program Developing guidelines Capacity building for other stakeholders including consumers and communities Experience sharing Formal structures in place to share experiences/stories and learn from each other Discussing innovative codesign methodologies, how to manage potential challenges Sharing examples of successful grant proposals, codesign projects and resources Peer support program within, and between, institutions Stakeholders’ representation in institutional governance structure Building formal and informal relationships with different stakeholder groups and organisations through projects and governance structure Strengthening external and community membership Funding support Provision of seeding funding for codesign activities Recognising/reimbursing stakeholders for their time and intellectual inputs into research Institutional culture supportive of research codesign Encouraging and rewarding codesign projects Inclusion of codesign activities in research performance metrics |
Range and breadth of codesign approaches Who to engage with and when Activities, processes and methods | Research involvement and engagement may vary depending on the nature of the project, research aims and expected outcomes Need to gain skills and experience around codesign particularly for early career researchers Availability of stakeholders and feasibility of engagement may limit ability and scope of engagement Codesign activities range widely: from small element of a larger researcher-led project to a project entirely led by communities and facilitated by researcher | |
Factors enabling codesign | Pre-existing relationships with stakeholders Communication skills and capabilities External facilitators and community coordinators Community coordinators or champions | |
Barriers to research codesign | Complexity, non-linear processes Poor understanding of stakeholders’ roles and expectations Poor codesign knowledge and training Power imbalances Limited funding, time and resources from institutions and external research funding bodies | |
Effectiveness and efficiency of research codesign | Evaluation usually limited to an assessment of community views on projects or research findings Complexity of evaluating codesign approach as a philosophy and value-based way of thinking and researching |