Short answer
Before starting any co-production design project, dedicate time to discuss and agree upon the 'rules of engagement' with all participants to ensure everyone feels the process is fair and inclusive.
- Field
- User-Centred Design
- Source
- Community Science (2023)
- Method
- Qualitative research, including stakeholder workshops and thematic analysis.
- Evidence
- Moderate effect
To ensure co-production processes are perceived as equitable, stakeholders must engage in upfront discussions to establish clear rules of engagement, acknowledging that different groups may prioritize distinct aspects of the process. This user-centred design research insight is drawn from a 2023 study published in Community Science. Using Qualitative research, including stakeholder workshops and thematic analysis., researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Before starting any co-production design project, dedicate time to discuss and agree upon the 'rules of engagement' with all participants to ensure everyone feels the process is fair and inclusive.
Equitable Co-Production Requires Explicitly Defining Engagement Rules
To ensure co-production processes are perceived as equitable, stakeholders must engage in upfront discussions to establish clear rules of engagement, acknowledging that different groups may prioritize distinct aspects of the process.
Community Science · 2023
Key Findings
- 01Three distinct perspectives on equitable co-production emerged: 'Ways of Knowing and Power', 'Participants and Interactions', and 'Science as Capacity Building'.
- 02These perspectives differentially weighted the importance of five co-production dimensions: outcomes, power, place-based rights, audience/participation, and interactions.
- 03The distinctness of these perspectives persisted even after participants selected core statements reflecting their views.
Application
Design takeaway
Before starting any co-production design project, dedicate time to discuss and agree upon the 'rules of engagement' with all participants to ensure everyone feels the process is fair and inclusive.
How to apply
When initiating a design project involving co-production, use a facilitated workshop or structured discussion to explore and document participants' expectations regarding decision-making, knowledge sharing, and the distribution of influence.
Project actions
- 01Clearly define the roles and responsibilities of all collaborators.
- 02Establish a shared understanding of how decisions will be made and how feedback will be incorporated.
Method & Evidence
Variables
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- +Investigates equity in co-production from multiple stakeholder viewpoints.
- +Provides a framework for understanding differing priorities in collaborative processes.
Limitations
The specific perspectives identified might not capture all possible viewpoints, and the effectiveness of agreed-upon rules can depend on ongoing facilitation and commitment from all parties.
Reliability & validity
Reliability could be enhanced by using multiple coders for thematic analysis. Validity is supported by the workshop phase, which allowed for member checking and refinement of the identified perspectives.
Think critically
How might the power dynamics inherent in a research funding structure influence the perceived equity of co-production outcomes?
Design Principles
"Proactive definition of equitable engagement protocols in collaborative design."
In design practice, co-production with diverse stakeholders is crucial for developing relevant and impactful solutions. Without a shared understanding of how power, knowledge, and participation are managed, these collaborations can inadvertently perpetuate existing inequalities, leading to mistrust and suboptimal outcomes.
What This Means for Your Design
When working with others to create something, make sure everyone agrees on how you'll work together and make decisions from the start, because people have different ideas about what's fair.
How to use in your project
- 1.Reference this study when discussing the importance of stakeholder engagement and the potential challenges in collaborative design processes.
Add to My Project
Quick Cite
Paragraph starter
This research highlights that equitable co-production requires explicit attention to defining engagement rules, as different stakeholders hold distinct perspectives on what constitutes a fair process. Acknowledging and addressing these varied viewpoints upfront is crucial for fostering trust and ensuring inclusive participation in collaborative design projects.
Source
Community Science
What Does Equitable Co‐Production Entail? Three Perspectives
journal · 2023
View sourceQuestions About This Research
- What does the research say about equitable co-production requires explicitly defining engagement rules?
- Before starting any co-production design project, dedicate time to discuss and agree upon the 'rules of engagement' with all participants to ensure everyone feels the process is fair and inclusive. Evidence: Community Science (2023).
- Why does "Equitable Co-Production Requires Explicitly Defining Engagement Rules" matter for design?
- In design practice, co-production with diverse stakeholders is crucial for developing relevant and impactful solutions. Without a shared understanding of how power, knowledge, and participation are managed, these collaborations can inadvertently perpetuate existing inequalities, leading to mistrust and suboptimal outcomes.
- How can designers apply this research?
- Before starting any co-production design project, dedicate time to discuss and agree upon the 'rules of engagement' with all participants to ensure everyone feels the process is fair and inclusive.
- What were the main findings?
- Three distinct perspectives on equitable co-production emerged: 'Ways of Knowing and Power', 'Participants and Interactions', and 'Science as Capacity Building'.. These perspectives differentially weighted the importance of five co-production dimensions: outcomes, power, place-based rights, audience/participation, and interactions.. The distinctness of these perspectives persisted even after participants selected core statements reflecting their views.
- What research method was used?
- Qualitative research, including stakeholder workshops and thematic analysis..
- How strong is the evidence?
- Evidence strength is rated Moderate effect, based on a 2023 journal from Community Science.
- What should I do differently in my next project?
- When initiating a design project involving co-production, use a facilitated workshop or structured discussion to explore and document participants' expectations regarding decision-making, knowledge sharing, and the distribution of influence.
- What are the limitations?
- The study's findings are based on specific projects and may not be universally generalizable to all co-production contexts. The perspectives identified may also be influenced by the specific domains of the projects studied.