Developing the Lived Experience Academy

Public involvement in research means that is done “with” or “by” the public not “to”, “for” or “about” them (Health Research Authority). Since 1991 the NHS research and development strategy has indicated the relevance of public involvement (Peckham, 1991; Zoccatelli et al , 2020) but to achieve this beyond limited ways - at best ticking boxes, at worst leaving participants worse off - needs academic researchers and people with lived experience (PWLE) working more collegiately and feeling valued.
One of the challenges to this is equipping PWLE with essential skills, confidence and understanding of traditional research. This creates a more equal way of working and build the next generation of co-producers and skilled PWLE involved as valued members of the team.
This poster will describe a study funded through the NIHR Programme Development Developing Innovative, Inclusive and Diverse Public Partnerships Call 2023 which centres on pioneering modules being run at Northumbria University to equip students, many of whom may not typically access university learning environments, to become co-producers or even leads on future research studies.