Monash launches game-changing consumer and community engagement platform for research
Monash University Clinical Trials Centre (MUCTC) has launched its new online consumer and community engagement platform. The platform is open to all researchers from universities and companies across Australia who wish to engage consumers and community members in their research.
Over the coming months, MUCTC will undertake an extensive campaign to recruit consumers and community members to the platform. This will involve communicating to the public how important their voices are to informing the why, how and what of research.
MUCTC will also work to increase awareness and capability among researchers for consumer and community involvement. “This platform has been a long time coming for our research community,” stated Associate Professor Darshini Ayton. “Once the word gets out that we have a broad network of involved consumers ready to be engaged through accessible, easy-to-use online tools, the results will speak for themselves.”
Researchers can deliver one-time engagement projects or undertake longer, ongoing projects, all at cost-effective rates. Once signed up, researchers will publish a page about their research that includes activities for consumers to engage with, such as polls and sticky notes of ideas. With the systems, infrastructure and access to consumers already in place, researchers will be able to receive consumer and community feedback more efficiently than ever before.
Involvement will also be easier for consumers who can choose to engage with a research project or not, and will also be provided with extensive and empowering training resources. Consumers may receive remuneration based on their level of involvement in the project.
The platform could not come at a more pertinent time, as MTPConnect reports consumer engagement is increasing across the clinical trials sector. This is evident in the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) and Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) promoting stronger consumer involvement in their grant schemes. The Australian Government also launched the Emerging Priorities and Consumer-Driven Research initiative that will provide $653.6 million over 10 years from 2024–25 and encourage consumers and researchers to work together.
If you have a research project (big or small) that needs or will need consumer engagement, contact the team at MUCTC now.
If you’re interested in contributing to research as a consumer, sign up to the platform today.