Today, 23 researchers – including early, mid, and senior career researchers – gathered for a session on meaningful consumer engagement. We were fortunate to be joined by Diana Trickett and John Stuart, members of the SIESTA Lived Experience Advisory Panel (SLEAP), who generously shared their journeys and insights as research partners.
Diana and John spoke about how they first became involved in research and what’s helped foster positive partnerships. A few clear messages came through for researchers:
- Don’t leave it to the last minute – asking for input right before a deadline can come across as tokenistic and disrespectful.
- Recognition and respect go a long way – treat your consumer partners like true collaborators.
- Write a plain English summary – it helps everyone understand what you’re trying to do and builds trust from the start.
- Start building relationships early – don’t wait until you “need” something.
- Co-design from the beginning. Not halfway through, not at the end – from day one.
Angela also shared perspectives (see image below) from consumers she’s spoken with over the years. Their message is clear: honesty and transparency are essential, and researchers need to “sell” the research – why it matters, how it will be used, and where they fit in.
Researchers were encouraged to consider how consumers can be involved across the entire research cycle, not just at isolated touchpoints. This is about long-term relationships – ones that, when done right, will continue to give and grow.
Need help getting started? There are great resources available, including the MRFF Consumer Involvement Guide and the Sleep Health Partners Guide to describing and assessing consumer involvement. These offer practical advice and examples across different project stages.
Together, we can build stronger, more inclusive research by investing in relationships – and doing it right from the beginning.