Co-Research involves people with lived experience in research directly affecting them. Research partnerships with people with lived experience can improve services, which can empower, validate and build trust within the community.
4 Considerations for Co-Research
When conducting co-research with people with lived experience, it is important to consider four key aspects:
- Autonomy: Co-researchers should have freedom in deciding their level of participation within the research.
- Support: Co-researchers need to be supported through a culture of trust and co-learning.
- Research Rigour: Outlining how co-researchers are involved in different phases of research and their direct perspectives on involvement.
- Co-ownership: Involving co-researchers in setting the research agenda, and ensuring their perspectives are included throughout the entire research process.
The importance of Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) and Co-Research
- Co-research provides a safe platform for restoring the power of people who have experienced Intimate Partner Violence, dismantling systemic equalities and moving towards healing.
- Co-research can help to create equitable environments where intimate partner violence lived experience can be used safely to make positive changes and increase advocacy.
- Including diverse people with intimate partner violence lived experience as co-researchers can advance equitable outcomes at the individual, service and system levels.
Source: Moghimi, E., & Hilton, N.Z. (2025). Transforming women’s mental health services through co-research with survivors of intimate partner violence. Nature Mental Health, 3, 164 – 166.
