Table 1 Thematic grouping of learning for future pandemic preparedness research studies

Dedicated resources

• Sufficient funding to provide dedicated staff resource, external expertise if required, and to follow good practice guidelines for recognising the contribution of participants

Recruiting the right panel

• Being clear in who your study needs to hear from to help establish clear criteria for recruiting panel members

Understanding motivations for participant involvement

• Research focusing on a pandemic response can invoke altruism and encourage active participation in research

Flexible options for participant involvement

• Adapting opportunities for involvement to suit participants, including considering practicalities such as timing and length of meetings

Early involvement from participants

• Participant involvement in study design can strengthen research methodology and make it more acceptable for uptake by participants