Understanding coproduced research

To appreciate the subjective experience of others, we must explore the meaning society has for them, how they interpret their encounters, and how their individual narratives impact their behavior. Subsequently, the focus on what other people think and feel (their narrative) is heavily context dependent due to the interplay of culture and may require an adaptive approach. Capturing authentic experiences and viewpoints can support systematic change that improves the life outcomes of participants, and capturing genuine voices is crucial to the effectiveness of any such study. Coproduction has the power to facilitate co-interpretation to foreground new knowledge that can drive impactful transformation. However, the reality of using coproduced research requires careful contemplation of the researcher’s reflexivity and strong ethical consideration of the intended coproducers. Coproduction is a powerful research method that can be used to obtain authentic insights into marginalized and peripheral groups, but this requires rigorous strategy and a clear understanding of the need to safeguard the well-being of those participating. The role of the researcher, as well as coresearchers, must be explicit when seeking authentic responses; equally, ethical limitations to anonymity and confidentiality must be made clear—safeguarding coresearchers must always take precedence.