Wales Centre for Public Policy Lived Experience UKRI Policy Fellowship
Lead Research Organisation:
BOURNEMOUTH UNIVERSITY
Department Name: Faculty of Science and Technology
Abstract
Each fellowship will last up to 18 months to cover:
1. a 3-month inception phase for set up activity
2. a 12-month placement with the host organisation
3. an impact phase lasting up to 3 months
Fellows will co-design projects and activities with their host and produce analysis to inform government decision-making across a range of policy priorities. Fellows will also engage across the host organisation, building effective working relationships and supporting wider knowledge exchange with researchers.
This will be supported through their embedded role within the host organisation, including line management support.
1. a 3-month inception phase for set up activity
2. a 12-month placement with the host organisation
3. an impact phase lasting up to 3 months
Fellows will co-design projects and activities with their host and produce analysis to inform government decision-making across a range of policy priorities. Fellows will also engage across the host organisation, building effective working relationships and supporting wider knowledge exchange with researchers.
This will be supported through their embedded role within the host organisation, including line management support.
| Description | This Fellowship explored how experts-by-experience (EbEs), people with lived experience of a particular issue, can meaningfully contribute to the way research and evidence are shared and used to inform policy and practice. While there has been increasing recognition of the value of involving EbEs in research and service design, there was far less guidance on how knowledge-brokering organisations (KBOs), such as What Works Centres, can engage them in knowledge mobilisation-the process of making evidence more accessible, relevant, and actionable for decision-makers. 1. What We Discovered A. Limited Existing Guidance for KBOs While there is a wealth of literature on co-producing research with EbEs, far less attention has been given to their role in translating and mobilising knowledge for policy and practice. Many KBOs are interested in involving EbEs but lack clear strategies or frameworks to guide their approach. B. Diverse Approaches to Involvement Interviews with knowledge-brokering organisations, including What Works Centres, showed that EbEs are already contributing in various ways, such as: Advising on how research findings are framed and presented. Co-producing policy messages and materials like blogs, toolkits, or reports. Presenting findings to policymakers to make evidence more engaging and relatable. However, approaches vary widely, with some organisations embedding EbE involvement strategically, while others engage on a more ad-hoc basis. C. Key Challenges Resourcing Constraints: Many organisations lack the time, funding, or internal expertise to support meaningful EbE involvement. Perceptions of Research vs. Lived Experience: Some actors view lived experience as anecdotal rather than a valid form of evidence. Ethical Considerations: Ensuring that involvement is not tokenistic, avoiding re-traumatisation, and navigating power imbalances require careful planning. Organisational Culture: Not all institutions are open to recognising non-traditional forms of expertise in policy engagement. D. When and Why EbE Involvement Matters Not all projects require EbE involvement - decisions should be based on where lived experience adds unique value. Their insights are particularly useful when: The issue directly affects a particular group. Their lived experience fills gaps in existing research. Their contribution improves the uptake of evidence by policymakers. 2. Key Achievements A. Rapid evidence review (March 2025) A synthesis of existing evidence on how EbEs have been involved in knowledge mobilisation. Identified gaps and opportunities for organisations to build on. B. Interview Report (April 2025) Captured real-world experiences from knowledge-brokering organisations on what works, what doesn't, and what needs improvement. Highlighted practical examples of meaningful EbE involvement. C. Resource Bank (April 2025) A practical tool designed for KBOs considering EbE involvement. Provides suggestive guidance (not prescriptive rules) on recruitment, engagement, ethical considerations, and impact assessment. 3. Impact of This Work Greater Clarity for Knowledge Brokers: The findings help KBOs think critically about when and how to engage EbEs in ways that are ethical, meaningful, and practical. Encouraging Thoughtful Implementation: Rather than suggesting that EbEs must be involved in every project, this work provides a framework for decision-making, helping organisations determine when involvement is truly valuable. Informing Future Practice: The research outputs offer real-world insights and strategies that can help organisations move beyond tokenistic involvement toward more substantive collaboration |
| Exploitation Route | The findings and resources developed through this Fellowship provide practical guidance, evidence, and considerations for knowledge-brokering organisations (KBOs), policymakers, researchers, and funders looking to meaningfully involve experts-by-experience (EbEs) in knowledge mobilisation. 1. Informing Knowledge-Brokering Organisations (KBOs) & What Works Centres Guiding Future Involvement Strategies: The Resource Bank offers suggestive guidance on when and how to engage EbEs, helping organisations refine their approaches to ensure ethical, meaningful, and valuable involvement. Embedding EbE Involvement into Organisational Practices: KBOs can use the Scoping Review and Interview Report to build internal awareness of what works and what challenges exist, shaping their internal policies and engagement strategies. Strengthening Relationships with Policymakers: By learning from the examples captured in this work, organisations can develop stronger partnerships that incorporate lived experience into knowledge translation more effectively. How this might happen: What Works Centres like the Centre for Ageing Better or Youth Futures Foundation can draw on the findings to improve their engagement models and test different approaches based on their unique needs. 2. Supporting Policymakers & Government Bodies Helping Decision-Makers Understand When & Why EbEs Should Be Engaged: The findings challenge the assumption that EbEs should always be involved, instead helping policymakers determine where their insights would be most impactful. Improving Policy Uptake: By demonstrating how lived experience makes evidence more actionable, policymakers can design more inclusive policies and strengthen public trust in decision-making. How this might happen: Government bodies, such as Welsh Government or other UK departments, can use the insights to assess whether and how EbE engagement could support their policy development and consultation processes. 3. Providing a Foundation for Future Research & Practice Encouraging Further Research into Knowledge Mobilisation: The work highlights gaps in research, particularly around how EbE involvement influences policy uptake, creating an opportunity for further study. Developing Evaluation Frameworks: The findings suggest ways to assess whether and how EbEs contribute to knowledge mobilisation, laying the groundwork for future evaluation efforts. How this might happen: Universities and research institutions could build on this work by developing new frameworks for assessing the impact of lived experience in policy engagement. 4. Strengthening Ethical & Meaningful Engagement Practices Avoiding Tokenism: The insights help organisations critically assess whether their involvement practices are genuine and impactful, reducing the risk of performative engagement. Supporting Fair Recognition & Compensation: The findings reinforce the need to value EbEs appropriately, whether through financial remuneration or other means. How this might happen: Funders, such as UKRI, and charitable foundations, can use these findings to shape their expectations for funded projects that involve lived experience. 5. Applying Lessons Across Sectors & Internationally Beyond Policy & Research: The principles of thoughtful involvement can be applied to charities, service providers, and international organisations working on public engagement and advocacy. Cross-Sector Learning: The work creates opportunities for knowledge exchange across health, social care, environmental policy, and other fields where lived experience is relevant. How this might happen: International organisations and NGOs working in public policy, healthcare, or social justice could draw from the insights to enhance public engagement strategies in diverse contexts. |
| Sectors | Agriculture Food and Drink Communities and Social Services/Policy Creative Economy Education Energy Environment Healthcare Leisure Activities including Sports Recreation and Tourism Government Democracy and Justice Culture Heritage Museums and Collections Retail Transport |
| Description | The findings from this research are already being applied in various ways across the public, policy, and third sectors. They are helping knowledge-brokering organisations, policy teams, and evidence centres think more critically about how, when, and why experts-by-experience (EbEs) should be involved in knowledge mobilisation. 1. Informing Policy & Knowledge-Brokering Practice The What Works Centres (WWCs) and knowledge-brokering organisations involved in the research are using the findings to assess and refine their approaches to engaging EbEs. Some organisations have started reviewing their engagement models to ensure that EbE involvement is purposeful rather than tokenistic. The Centre for Ageing Better and the Centre for Homelessness Impact have drawn on the findings to better align their approaches to lived experience involvement with their broader knowledge mobilisation strategies. 2. Supporting Evidence-Informed Decision-Making The Welsh Government and policy teams have been introduced to the research findings through discussions on evidence use in policymaking. This has raised awareness about how lived experience perspectives can complement existing research when relevant. The findings have contributed to wider conversations on evidence diversity, helping shape discussions about when lived experience evidence adds value in policy processes. 3. Practical Tools for Organisations The Resource Bank, which compiles practical ideas and approaches for involving EbEs, is being shared with WWCs and other organisations considering how to engage lived experience in knowledge mobilisation activities. The Rapid Evidence Review and Interview Report are being used as reference points for organisations looking to develop or refine their own approaches to working with lived experience groups. 4. Strengthening Collaboration Across Sectors The research has facilitated cross-sector discussions between researchers, policy professionals, and third-sector organisations about the challenges and opportunities of EbE involvement in knowledge mobilisation. It has also helped highlight where partnerships with civil society organisations and advocacy groups could be useful in ensuring ethical and effective engagement. Next Steps & Ongoing Influence As organisations continue to explore ways to integrate lived experience insights into knowledge mobilisation, the findings are expected to shape future training, guidance, and evaluation frameworks. The Welsh Centre for Public Policy (WCPP) and other WWCs are reflecting on the research to identify pilot opportunities for EbE involvement where it aligns with their strategic priorities. The research is also contributing to ongoing academic and policy discussions on the role of evidence in policymaking, particularly regarding how lived experience insights can enhance knowledge mobilisation efforts. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2024 |
| Sector | Agriculture, Food and Drink,Communities and Social Services/Policy,Education,Energy,Environment,Healthcare,Leisure Activities, including Sports, Recreation and Tourism,Government, Democracy and Justice,Culture, Heritage, Museums and Collections |
| Impact Types | Societal Policy & public services |
| Description | Wales Centre for Public Policy |
| Organisation | Centre for Ageing Better |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | From November 2023, the ESRC funded a Policy Fellow to be seconded to the Wales Centre for Public Policy (WCPP) to enhance the understanding, capabilities, and skills of evidence generators, policy researchers, policymakers, and practitioners in involving people with lived experience in their work. The Fellowship is a collaboration between the Fellow (Dr Rounaq Nayak), WCPP, the Centre for Ageing Better, Youth Futures Foundation and the Centre for Homelessness Impact, with expert advice provided by Sarah Campbell, Head of Participation at the Joseph Rowntree Foundation. To enable this collaboration and the input of other key stakeholders to advise and guide the Fellowship, we established a working group - the Policy Fellowship Lived Experience Expertise Working Group (PFLEEWG). I, along with my research assistant, organise quarterly working group meetings where we share research updates, gather feedback and directions for further research. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Partners have met quarterly for 1.5 hours over a Teams call. They have read documents and shared comments and suggestions on the various outcomes of the project. Further, they have helped us gain access to other organisations who involve experts-by-experience in knowledge mobilisation activities. |
| Impact | Outputs are currently being produced. A report based on initial research findings are being put together. |
| Start Year | 2023 |
| Description | Wales Centre for Public Policy |
| Organisation | Centre for Homelessness Impact |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | From November 2023, the ESRC funded a Policy Fellow to be seconded to the Wales Centre for Public Policy (WCPP) to enhance the understanding, capabilities, and skills of evidence generators, policy researchers, policymakers, and practitioners in involving people with lived experience in their work. The Fellowship is a collaboration between the Fellow (Dr Rounaq Nayak), WCPP, the Centre for Ageing Better, Youth Futures Foundation and the Centre for Homelessness Impact, with expert advice provided by Sarah Campbell, Head of Participation at the Joseph Rowntree Foundation. To enable this collaboration and the input of other key stakeholders to advise and guide the Fellowship, we established a working group - the Policy Fellowship Lived Experience Expertise Working Group (PFLEEWG). I, along with my research assistant, organise quarterly working group meetings where we share research updates, gather feedback and directions for further research. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Partners have met quarterly for 1.5 hours over a Teams call. They have read documents and shared comments and suggestions on the various outcomes of the project. Further, they have helped us gain access to other organisations who involve experts-by-experience in knowledge mobilisation activities. |
| Impact | Outputs are currently being produced. A report based on initial research findings are being put together. |
| Start Year | 2023 |
| Description | Wales Centre for Public Policy |
| Organisation | Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF) |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | From November 2023, the ESRC funded a Policy Fellow to be seconded to the Wales Centre for Public Policy (WCPP) to enhance the understanding, capabilities, and skills of evidence generators, policy researchers, policymakers, and practitioners in involving people with lived experience in their work. The Fellowship is a collaboration between the Fellow (Dr Rounaq Nayak), WCPP, the Centre for Ageing Better, Youth Futures Foundation and the Centre for Homelessness Impact, with expert advice provided by Sarah Campbell, Head of Participation at the Joseph Rowntree Foundation. To enable this collaboration and the input of other key stakeholders to advise and guide the Fellowship, we established a working group - the Policy Fellowship Lived Experience Expertise Working Group (PFLEEWG). I, along with my research assistant, organise quarterly working group meetings where we share research updates, gather feedback and directions for further research. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Partners have met quarterly for 1.5 hours over a Teams call. They have read documents and shared comments and suggestions on the various outcomes of the project. Further, they have helped us gain access to other organisations who involve experts-by-experience in knowledge mobilisation activities. |
| Impact | Outputs are currently being produced. A report based on initial research findings are being put together. |
| Start Year | 2023 |
| Description | Wales Centre for Public Policy |
| Organisation | Wales Centre for Public Policy |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | From November 2023, the ESRC funded a Policy Fellow to be seconded to the Wales Centre for Public Policy (WCPP) to enhance the understanding, capabilities, and skills of evidence generators, policy researchers, policymakers, and practitioners in involving people with lived experience in their work. The Fellowship is a collaboration between the Fellow (Dr Rounaq Nayak), WCPP, the Centre for Ageing Better, Youth Futures Foundation and the Centre for Homelessness Impact, with expert advice provided by Sarah Campbell, Head of Participation at the Joseph Rowntree Foundation. To enable this collaboration and the input of other key stakeholders to advise and guide the Fellowship, we established a working group - the Policy Fellowship Lived Experience Expertise Working Group (PFLEEWG). I, along with my research assistant, organise quarterly working group meetings where we share research updates, gather feedback and directions for further research. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Partners have met quarterly for 1.5 hours over a Teams call. They have read documents and shared comments and suggestions on the various outcomes of the project. Further, they have helped us gain access to other organisations who involve experts-by-experience in knowledge mobilisation activities. |
| Impact | Outputs are currently being produced. A report based on initial research findings are being put together. |
| Start Year | 2023 |