Are you passionate about shaping the future of health research partnerships? Here’s your chance to make a difference—but this is where it gets controversial: not everyone agrees on what makes documentation and reporting truly effective. The University of Manitoba is inviting 25 participants to join a groundbreaking project aimed at developing recommendations for documenting and reporting health research partnerships. This isn’t just about filling out forms—it’s about influencing how academic publications reflect the collaborative efforts of researchers and knowledge users. And this is the part most people miss: the project defines a health research partnership as a dynamic collaboration between at least one researcher and one knowledge user, where the latter actively shapes the research process. Researchers could be academics, evaluation consultants, or research staff, while knowledge users include healthcare professionals, decision-makers, patients, and individuals with lived experiences. But here’s the bold part: Should lived experiences carry the same weight as academic expertise in shaping research priorities? We’re not just asking—we’re inviting you to weigh in.
Participation is entirely voluntary, and you can withdraw at any time before the results are shared (expected in Spring 2026). To join, you must meet at least one of the following criteria: be a decision-maker, health professional, or individual with lived experience who has partnered in research; conduct or study health research partnerships; serve on research ethics boards; work as an academic journal editor, publisher, or health research funder; manage research partnerships; or act as a knowledge broker. Here’s what’s involved: a 10-minute pre-screening form to assess your eligibility and background, three rounds of Delphi surveys (1 hour each, spaced over six months), and an optional 90-minute focus group with peers. Controversial question: Can a 90-minute discussion truly capture the complexities of research partnerships? Let us know what you think.
The entire process is virtual, and you can choose to complete activities in English or French (focus groups are in English only). As a token of appreciation, you’ll receive a $30 CAD e-gift card for each completed component, totaling up to $120 CAD. All personal information remains anonymous. Ready to join? Reach out to Dr. Kathryn Sibley, the Principal Investigator, at kathryn.sibley@umanitoba.ca. But don’t wait—the deadline to express interest is March 6, 2026. This is your chance to shape the conversation—what’s your take on the future of health research partnerships?
