One such example of innovative and collaborative approaches is the launch of the ‘Guidelines for Co-Produced Research with Refugees and Other People with Lived Experience of Displacement’.
Developed with input from people with lived experience of being a refugee, academics and representatives from NGOs and intergovernmental organisations, these guidelines provide clear strategies for people and organisations looking to undertake, support or learn more about research that is co-produced with refugees and other people with lived experience of displacement.
At the International Detention Coalition (IDC), we consider this research to be an important tool offering pragmatic guidance grounded in everyday reality and experience. In our strategic plan, IDC highlights the need for people with lived experience of detention to have more power, influence and leadership in the movement to end immigration detention.
We act on this vision in practice. In partnership with Akar Umbi Society in Malaysia, IDC implemented the refugee self-advocacy programme, the Azalea Initiative, a women’s leadership development programme that aims to empower young refugee women to become changemakers within their communities. In Europe, we are scoping to develop an advisory committee made up of people with lived experience. In the Americas, we are piloting a youth lived experience leadership curriculum. In MENA this curriculum is being enhanced and adapted to MENA contextual realities and translated into French and Arabic.
The release of these guidelines will provide further support and practical tools to ensure people with lived experience are included not only in research, but in decisions around advocacy priorities and alternatives to detention programming.
Key principles underpinning authentic collaboration
The guidelines introduce a set of key principles that should underpin co-produced research, paving the way for more inclusive and respectful practices.
Joint ownership: This principle advocates for the open discussion of power relations within research teams and methods that enable collective control of key decisions, ensuring that those with lived experience have a meaningful say in the research process.
Inclusion and respect: Co-produced research disrupts the conventional understanding of academic expertise and recognises and values diverse forms of knowledge, such as experiential, relational and local knowledge.
Benefits for all involved: The guidelines stress that everyone involved in the research should benefit in some way. This can manifest as access to social, financial or intellectual capital. Furthermore, it extends to the communities that participate in the research. Ensuring that everyone benefits creates a mutually rewarding environment, where participants feel that their contributions are valued.
Safety: All researchers must reflect on the possible consequences of research and devise appropriate strategies to safeguard against harmful effects.
Transparency and trust: Researchers are encouraged to speak openly about their feelings and develop trust during the research process. This includes being sensitive to different ways of working and cultural understanding.
Common issues faced in co-production
Co-produced research, while empowering and transformative, also presents several challenges and common issues that researchers need to address, and the guidelines offer practical advice on how to navigate these challenges effectively. This advice covers issues such as how to set the research agenda, when to choose this methodology,recruitment processes and data management.
The guidelines are not just theoretical; they also include practical training exercises. These exercises can help research teams implement the principles and recommendations in a real-world setting, fostering a deeper understanding of co-produced research practices