Partnering with Researchers

Research has driven life-changing advances in cancer diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship. Cancer Voices SA is committed to ensuring that research reflects the real-world needs of those affected by cancer, and remains patient-centred.

We work with researchers, universities, and institutions to:

• Connect researchers with consumer representatives – People with lived experience bring valuable insights to research design, ensuring studies remain patient-centered.
• Advocate for meaningful engagement – We promote best-practice models for consumer-researcher partnerships. This includes co-design and co-production principles. 
• Support consumer involvement in research – The Cancer Voices SA Exec Team supports the consumer representatives in our community to ensure cancer survivors and carers contribute effectively to research projects. 

 

How We Collaborate with Researchers

There are many ways that a consumer representative can contribute to research by partnering with a researcher. This includes:

• • Shaping research priorities based on real community needs
    
    
  • Co-designing projects and trials
    
    

• Co-authoring publications, posters and presentations
  
  
• Providing critical lived experience to improve research design and implementation, from the start of a research project onwards.

We take on a variety of roles or titles depending on the project and context.  The role or title may depend on the institution, the project, and whether there is funding for our work or we are working in a voluntary capacity.

We serve as consumer representatives, consumer-researchers, lived-experience researchers, community advisors, as collaborators, associate or co-investigators, and chief investigators. 

See examples of our research partnerships and publications → Our Impact & Publications page

The Role of Community Voices

A key part of our work is gathering and sharing real-world experiences from people affected by cancer. These insights inform and shape the research we support.

We take great care to:

• Stay connected with current and recent cancer experiences
  
  
• Represent community voices authentically and ethically, with informed consent to share stories
  
  
• Amplify diverse and marginalised perspectives
  
  
• Ensure people feel safe, supported, and empowered to share their story
  
  

Whenever possible, we bring community members into the research process directly – so that people can speak for themselves.

Get Involved

For Consumers – If you have a personal cancer experience and want to contribute to research – whether as a speaker, advisor, or research partner, please email us at → info@cancervoicessa.org.au

For Researchers – Looking to involve a consumer in your study or project?
Request a consumer representative through the Cancer Voices Australia Matching Program. Request a consumer rep→  here.

 

For more information, contact: info@cancervoicessa.org.au