NEWS & EVENTS

Launch: Framework for Consumer and Community Involvement in Health Research - 17 October 2025

Event overview

Join us for the official launch of the Framework for Consumer and Community Involvement (CCI) in Health Research — a new guide designed to help health researchers embed meaningful consumer and community involvement across all stages of the research cycle.

Developed through a collaborative co-design process with Consumer and Community Involvement (CCI) leads and consumers by the HTQ led CCI in Research Alliance, this Framework provides:

principles for effective consumer and community involvement in research
practical guidance on embedding involvement at each stage of the research cycle
links to resources that support good practice.

Why it matters
Consumer and community involvement is no longer optional — it’s essential. Meaningful involvement ensures that research is responsive to national consumer and community priorities, aligns with growing expectations from funders and ethics committees, builds public trust, and improves the translation of research into practice. Ultimately, it makes research stronger, more relevant, and more impactful for the communities it serves.

Who should attend
This webinar is for:

health and medical researchers
consumer researchers
clinician researchers
research institution.

What you’ll gain
In this webinar you will:

learn about the genesis and co-design journey of the Framework
hear directly from those involved in its development
receive practical tips and guidance on how to apply the Framework in your own projects.

Whether you’re starting a new research project, applying for funding, or seeking to strengthen consumer engagement in your current work, this Framework will be an invaluable tool.

Event details

Date: Friday, 17 October 2025
Time: 12pm - 12:45pm (AEST-QLD)
Format: Zoom webinar

Presenters

This session will be presented by the CCI leads who were driving the co-design of the Framework, and include a consumer and researcher.

Dr Nancy Cloake - Consumer and Community Lead, QIMR Berghofer
Nancy is responsible for coordinating QIMR Berghofer's Consumer and Community Involvement Program called Better Health Together, which sees community members and people with lived experience of illness or chronic conditions partner with the institute to influence, shape and co-deliver research projects. She supports both researchers and members of our community at all stages of the research cycle, ensuring involvement is meaningful for all.
Nancy trained as a medical researcher with a focus in novel treatments for Multiple Sclerosis, earning her PhD in 2015. Since leaving the laboratory bench she has held roles in communicating research, inspiring curiosity in science within the community and attracting support for research innovation. She has a keen interest in discoveries that improve human life and human health, and a passion to ensure this knowledge is built upon and shared so it may help those with the greatest need.

Benedette Watson - Research & Clinical Translation Manager, Translational Research Institute
Benedette (Bene) is the Research and Clinical Translation Manager at the Translational Research Institute (TRI). Bene supports researcher, clinician and health consumer collaborations, aiding connections between stakeholders to enable new research and innovation partnerships. Bene’s role also manages the consumer and community involvement program at TRI, STEM program (SPARQ-ed), Clinical Engagement and the TRI Affiliates Program. Through a range of dedicated programs and services, the TRI Research & Clinical Translation Unit creates a collaborative, translational research ecosystem within TRI. Bene is also the current chair of the HTQ Collaborative Group - Consumer and Community Involvement in Research Alliance.

Dr Zephanie Tyack - Principal Research Fellow, Queensland University of Technology
Zephanie is a health services researcher and implementation scientist at QUT’s Australian Institute of Health Services Research (AusHSI). With a background as a clinical occupational therapist, her work focuses on evaluating innovative treatments and models of care in burns, trauma, rehabilitation, and community settings, and translating evidence into clinical practice. She leads or contributes to several national projects with a strong focus on engaging consumers in research and is passionate about improving health care, quality of life, and decision-making for children and adults experiencing complex health challenges.

Anja Christoffersen - award-winning disability advocate, social entrepreneur and consumer co-researcher
Anja is an award-winning disability advocate, social entrepreneur and consumer co-researcher, named one of the International Day of People with Disability Ambassadors for 2023. Anja’s ventures focus on creating sustainable opportunities for leadership, autonomy and social and economic participation for people with disabilities, driven by the community and inspired by her lived experience. Combining an MBA (Health Services Management & Entrepreneurship) and her disability lived experience, Anja has consulted, co-led and engaged in projects across health, government, research, corporate and not-for-profit sectors.

More information

For more information about this session please email events@healthtranslationqld.org.au.