Sharing power with communities

As a matter of health and social justice, health research should improve the health and well-being of those considered disadvantaged and marginalised and foster their engagement in all phases of its conduct. Such communities’ engagement in priority-setting is a key means for setting research topics and questions of relevance and benefit to them. However, without attention to dynamics of power and diversity, their engagement can lead to presence without voice and voice without influence. What is needed to give marginalised communities a voice in agenda-setting for health research projects? In this talk, Bridget will present the findings of conceptual and empirical research that address this question. Key ethical considerations for sharing power with community members that should be taken into account before, during and after priority-setting will be identified and discussed.