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Researchers

Engage with consumers

If you are a researcher based in Australia and you wish to engage with consumers, you have come to the right place. Whether your project is in the planning, design, delivery, or evaluation phase, we offer resources to help incorporate consumer insights effectively.

All University of Wollongong (UOW) researchers are encouraged to participate.

If you are seeking input from consumers, please register as a researcher.

This network is support by Health Innovations and Molecular Horizons in the Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health. 

What to expect

We have a process for connecting researchers with consumers. Once we have connected both parties, the researcher is responsible for maintaining contact with the consumer for the project's duration. 

Step one 

Consumers express their interest by signing up to join the UOW Consumer and Community Research Network. Consumer information is securely stored in line with UOW's privacy policy. Relationships with consumers are maintained via the Network Team.

Step two

Researchers seeking involvement from consumers for a project register their interest via our Researchers registration form. Applications will be assessed by the Network Team to determine if it is suitable to be distributed to consumers. 

Step three

If the project is suitable, the Network Team will send the opportunity to relevant consumers. This will include contact details of the researcher. If the project is not suitable, the team will provide feedback to the researcher.

Step four

Consumers receive appropriate project opportunities and are provided the researcher's contact details to formally express their interest or ask any questions.

Step five 

The researcher is then responsible for providing project-specific information and maintaining contact with consumers to organise their involvement throughout the life of the project.

We protect consumer’s privacy and require researchers to follow our policies and procedures regarding privacy. The information provided by consumers will only be accessed by relevant members of the UOW Consumer and Community Research Network team to contact consumers regarding opportunities. We will not share consumer information with anyone outside our organisation unless we have the consumer’s permission. Researchers will only be provided with the consumer’s names and contact details for research purposes if consumers provide their consent.

It is a privilege to engage in research with consumers, and we are committed to protecting consumers through a variety of strategies. Please consider how you may implement these in your project. Strategies may include:

  • Key contact person to liaise with consumers
  • Clear description of expectations for the consumer
  • Overview of roles and responsibilities for the consumer
  • Orientation and briefing for the consumer prior to engagement
  • At least two consumers for each activity
  • Remuneration of the consumer
  • Debriefing / exit checklist from the project for the consumer

Frequently asked questions

Suitability refers to the protection of consumers, using strategies such as those listed above. Please ensure your project has protection strategies in place prior to seeking consumer input. At a minimum, your project needs to include:

  • Key contact person to liaise with consumers
  • Clear description of expectations for the consumer
  • Overview of roles and responsibilities for the consumer
  • Whether remuneration is going to occur

If your request does not meet protection strategies or more details are required, you will be contacted.

No, registering is free. There are no costs associated with joining or using the UOW Consumer and Community Research Network.

We invite consumers from all backgrounds across Australia to sign up. We are unable to provide specific details of who we have registered at any point in time due to privacy protection, however if there are consumers who have expressed interest in your research area, we will provide them the details of your project for them to contact you.

You can register using our online form, and we will assess your request and assist with sending your project to relevant consumers if your project is appropriate for consumers. However, please continue to develop relationships with your target audience.

This is difficult to estimate. If there are consumers who have expressed interest in your research area, we will match them as soon as possible.

Contact us for more information

Feel free to email us, and one of our team members will gladly assist you with more information or answer any questions you might have about our network.

uowhi-network@uow.edu.au