Framework for CCI in Health Research

The Framework is a practical guide designed to help health researchers embed meaningful consumer and community involvement (CCI) across all stages of the research cycle. The Framework provides:

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

The Framework was developed through a collaborative co-design process with consumer and community involvement leads, researchers and consumers by the Health Translation Queensland led CCI in Research Alliance.

The Consumer and Community Involvement (CCI) in Research Alliance is a HTQ-led collaborative group supporting best practice CCI in research. The group brings together CCI leads from across the HTQ partnership and beyond and includes consumer representatives who bring their lived experiences to the group.

The development of the Framework began at a CCI in Research Alliance workshop, which brought together more than 20 consumers, CCI leads and researchers from across the Health Translation Queensland partnership. The workshop was facilitated by Amanda Newbery, Managing Director of Articulous, and expert in community and stakeholder engagement standards and approaches developed by the International Association for Public Participation Australasia (IAP2). The CCI in Research Alliance has subsequently sought wider feedback on the draft Framework from the wider health research community via a survey.

Many health organisations wanted clear, consistent guidance on how to engage consumers and communities in health research. This Framework streamlines existing approaches into an easy-to-use and practical guide to improve quality, consistency, and impact of consumer involvement across all stages of the research cycle.

The CCI Framework has been designed as a practical resource for health and medical researchers, clinician researchers, consumer researchers and research institutions. This tool is freely available to all and provides advice for embedding good practice CCI into health research that is applicable to any research field and for any institution wherever they may be located.

Whether researchers are starting a new project, applying for funding or seeking to strengthen consumer engagement in their current work, the CCI Framework offers clear, practical guidance to support a more inclusive and impactful approach to research.

Health Translation Queensland and the CCI in Research Alliance encourage the use of the Framework for:

• researchers and research teams – to plan and embed consumer and community involvement from the start of the research cycle
• health services and research organisations – to set minimum standards and support best practice of community involvement

• consumers and community members – to understand how their experiences and insights can shape research and make a meaningful impact.

Consumer and community involvement in research is increasingly recognised as essential rather than optional. Meaningful involvement helps ensure research is responsive to community priorities, aligns with expectations from funders and ethics committees, builds public trust, and enhances the translation of research into practice. Ultimately, it makes research stronger, more relevant and more impactful for the communities it serves.

The Framework can be applied at any stage of the research cycle – from planning and funding applications to implementation and translation. It outlines involvement principles and gives examples of consumer perspectives and involvement activities and methods.

Yes. The Framework aims to establish a practical minimum standard for consumer and community involvement in health research, ensuring that all health research includes meaningful engagement.

There is no one size fits all approach to consumer and community involvement. Providing a framework for good practice supports creativity, curiosity and adaptation of engagement practices so they can be tailored for the unique contexts in which research takes place. It also enables reflection, learning and continuous improvement.

No. It complements existing policies and tools by providing an overarching, consistent approach that organisations can adapt to their specific context.

Yes. The Framework applies to all types of health research, including clinical, public health, health services, and translational research.

Consumer and community involvement, or CCI in short, means working with consumers and community members—not just for them—so that their lived experience, priorities, and perspectives shape research questions, design, and outcomes

The Framework can help strengthen your approach, assess alignment with good practice, and identify new opportunities for partnership and improvement.

You can join a consumer advisory group, collaborate on research design, co-author publications, or help share research findings with the community. The Framework provides examples of involvement at different stages of the research cycle.

No. Your lived experience as a patient, carer, or community member is valuable expertise. The Framework is designed to support both researchers and consumers in building effective partnerships.

Yes. The Framework includes practical examples of consumer insights, questions and involvement activities or methods, plus links to resources.

Also check out HTQ’s webpage with Framework FAQs and CCI resources and the Australian Health Research Alliance’s CCI Health Research Hub. CCI training and workshops will also be available through HTQ and its partner organisations, visit HTQ’s events calendar.

Please review these FAQs first before contacting Health Translation Queensland at consumers@healthtranslationqld.org.au.

If your organisation is part of the Consumer and Community Involvement (CCI) in Research Alliance, we will endeavour to connect you with your organisation’s Consumer and Community Involvement Lead (where available) for practical advice on the CCI Framework implementation.