Creating knowledge together is a series of essays which aims strengthen and share the growing evidence base for the impact that community-engaged research can have. 

We believe that involving communities in setting research agendas, delivering projects, and shaping the research system can deliver tangible and significant benefit. It leads to better research, fairer institutions, and a society that is more actively engaged. Working alongside others in this area, we are committed to putting communities at the heart of research and innovation. 

The essay series, supported by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) draws together diverse perspectives from across the community and research landscapes to a broad-ranging collection of personal accounts, experiences and narratives that amplify the voices of those directly engaged in this work. 

We hope that by sharing these insightful stories, we can build awareness of, and support for, the work that communities and researchers are doing together.

This work is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0  

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this essay series are not representative of the views of the British Science Association or UK Research and Innovation.

Content note: Some of the essays touch on sensitive or emotive topics such as pregnancy, maternal health, wellbeing in trans+ communities, and structural racism.