Our Parent Carer Research Network was set up to champion the voices of parents and carers in research. You can find out more about the network and how to join over on our website parentcarerresearchnetwork.org.uk

We are very excited to announce that the Parent Carer Network is now ready for researchers to partner with the network. 

Check out the dedicated website all about how to share your opportunities, and the Guide for Researchers that underlines the ethos of the network. The Guide has been co-produced with our Steering Group of parents and carers with lived experience.

Why is this important to us?

A key part of the mission of Mental Health in Development is to ensure our work is underpinned by understanding the wants, needs and experiences of children, young people, their families and communities. We are looking for researchers who are ready to promote inclusion and accessibility in research for those with lived experience.

There are many ways that researchers may seek to include parents and carers as participants in their research projects, whether as expert voices or as co-applicants.

The aim of the Parent Carer Research Network is not just to make connections between parents and carers and researchers but to support researchers to include lived experience in the most meaningful and accessible way possible.

What does research inclusion mean?

As well as the Guide for Researchers, we also have also heard from some of our partner groups about their interpretations of what research inclusion means to them. This may be useful for researchers considering connecting with the Parent Carer Research Network.

Recently, the Healthy Minds Apprentices discussed what research inclusion means to them and you can check out their video here or on our YouTube channel.

The National Institute for Health and Care Research, one of our funders, has also written about how research inclusion is one of the guiding principles across the organisation. They also shared information and advice on how to make research inclusive.

For further information or to get in touch with the team, please email parentcarerresearchnetwork@psych.ox.ac.uk