A national effort to strengthen consumer and community involvement

SPHERE is co-leading a national collaborative effort with AHRA members to accelerate the implementation of best practice Consumer and Community Involvement (CCI) in Australia.

After five years of developing CCI capability and capacity, through grants and contributions by the Research Translation Centres (RTCs), AHRA received a $1 million grant from the Medical Research Future Fund. Led by SPHERE, Monash Partners and Western Australian Health Translation Network (WAHTN), research funded by the grant will build a network of engaged and upskilled consumers, including members of under-represented community groups such as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

SPHERE’s Acting Executive Director, Professor Chris White, said the knowledge hub will not only help to build a network of engaged and upskilled consumers but will also reflect the value of engaging consumers and community in research.

“Although the number of questions we, as researchers, can ask is infinite, our community tells us the most important questions they need us to answer,” Prof White said.

Prof White says the work progressed under the AHRA banner highlights the real value of international and national collaboration in consumer and community involvement.

“We have focused on sharing resources and expertise and avoiding duplication in an effort to add meaningful value and enhance the translation of research findings and discoveries into better clinical care.”