Interactive workshops focus on the co-creation of new knowledge and skills in real time with lively interaction between the presenters and audience.

Workshop Leaders: Brittany Mihalec-Adkins (presenter), Angel Petite

Summary 
Researchers and policymakers increasingly recognize the value of incorporating the perspectives of individuals with lived experience with particular social issues or institutions – and for good reason. Individuals with “lived experience expertise” can offer insight that may be otherwise unattainable to researchers studying a system or phenomenon from a purely empirical lens. The goal of this workshop is to strengthen researchers’ awareness and abilities related to meaningfully and ethically engaging lived experience experts/consultants in their research. Drawing from the expertise of individuals with lived experience in the U.S. child welfare system (former foster youth, birth parents, and foster/kinship caregivers) who have served as lived experience consultants in research and policy, this workshop presents ethical, empirical, and practical/logistical considerations, offers space for discussion and brainstorming, and provides concrete resources to support family scientists who wish to advance the practice- and policy-relevance of their research through engaging diverse lived experiences.

Objectives

• To demonstrate the value of meaningfully incorporating lived experience stakeholders as consultants in policy-relevant research - including in attendees’ specific research programs.
• To explain ethical, empirical, and practical considerations related to meaningfully engaging lived experience consultants in research.
• To provide resources for researchers interested in meaningfully and ethically partnering with lived experience consultants in their work.

Subject Codes: fostercare, inclusion, ethics and values
Population Codes: foster child, biological parent, community or institution
Method and Approach Codes: community participation/action research, best practices, advocacy