Co-production

What is co-production?

Co-production is a collaborative methodology often utilised in healthcare and policymaking, bringing together service providers and service users to solve arising issues. Increasingly used in scientific and academic research, this approach empowers stakeholders to contribute to the planning and idea generation, as well as execution of research projects.

Co-production goes beyond engagement or consultation and values the experiences of non-researchers, encouraging active input through co-design and co-delivering a shared plan. This helps to build meaningful relationships between researchers and communities, often highlighting diverse perspectives and ensuring research is relevant to the real world.

Benefits of co-production

• Helps to build meaningful relationships between researchers, service providers and communities
• Enhances social validity and credibility of research science, as well as improving its relevance to the real world
• Improves participation and engagement in scientific research
• Allows service users and other stakeholders to impact on changes affecting their communities or improvements to the services they access

Co-production at The University of Manchester

Researchers at The University of Manchester recognise the invaluable input of communities and work in partnership with varied groups, including young students and older people, to significantly improve the impact of their work.

In partnership with Manchester City Council and local community organisations, people aged between 58 and 74 in Greater Manchester were recruited and trained as co-researchers.