Will we ever get it ‘right’? Exploring meaningful co-production in PhD research

• In Event: The start of a sea change: advancing qualitative methodologies with lived experience expertise

Abstract

This paper presents findings from a doctoral study co-produced with three young people who have lived experience of both the care system and child criminal exploitation. The research adopted participatory methods, with co-production embedded at every stage—from shaping the research questions to analysing the data and sharing the findings. The study explored the concepts of mattering, generativity, and social harm, offering new insights grounded in the experiences and expertise of those directly affected. The paper reflects on the complexities, challenges, and transformative possibilities of working collaboratively in this way, particularly within the constraints of doctoral research. It considers the negotiation of power dynamics, the importance of developing genuine and sustained participation, and the tensions that arise when co-production practices meet academic structures and expectations that are not always designed to accommodate them. Ultimately, the study highlights the potential of co-produced research to generate more inclusive, equitable, and impactful knowledge and practices.

Author

• Danica Darley, The University of Sheffield