Partnering With Lived Experience Experts: A Toolkit for Inclusive Consumer Research

This article examines the partnership between researchers and health consumers, with a focus on those experiencing vulnerability. It aims to understand how consumers perceive their involvement in research, explore their lived and living experiences as co-researchers, and develop a practical tool to strengthen these partnerships. A qualitative, arts-based method - LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® - was used to facilitate creative dialogue and expression. Psychological empowerment theory informed the analysis, providing a lens to understand what supports or hinders meaningful involvement. The study identifies barriers to participation, including power imbalances, unclear roles, and organisational constraints, alongside enablers such as emotional safety, shared purpose, and respect for lived experience. Drawing on these insights, the article introduces a strength-based, humanistic Transformative Service Initiative (TSI) empowerment checklist to guide inclusive and respectful research partnerships. The study contributes to Transformative Service Research (TSR) by presenting a conceptual model called the Pathway from Consumer Co-Researchers to Societal Well-being Outcomes. This illustrates how supporting consumer involvement in research partnerships can generate broader social impact. The findings highlight how co-creating with consumers can provide valuable insight, bring about more equitable research and generate well-being.