Co-production: aspirations, challenges, and the way ahead for public health and health services research.

This issue of Public Health Research & Practice focuses on improving the co-production of research. It draws on experiences across Australia and internationally to examine what is occurring, who is leading the way, and what still needs to be done. Co-production of research is generally defined as collaboration at all stages of the research process between diverse stakeholders to undertake research.1 There are many forms of collaborative research practices, and definitions abound, as discussed by Vargas and colleagues in this issue.2 While these definitional issues are important, it is equally important to engage with the practice of co-production as it is not an abstract activity. It is deeply connected with trying to ensure that the views of individuals, communities, service providers and other interested stakeholders are visible in the content and process of research. As long as this is the intent, the term used to describe the process is not the most significant issue, provided the process is clearly described so that the reader can judge the authenticity of stakeholder engagement. Importantly, this issue offers an opportunity to reflect on the practice of co-producing research as it becomes more mature and widespread. For example, there is a risk, as with the acceptance, adoption and spread of any new principle in practice, that it becomes simplified into rigid protocols. This may add some rigour and consistency, but it may also increase the resources required and decrease its responsiveness to the particular circumstances of individual studies. Perhaps most importantly, it risks ‘hitting the target’ while ‘missing the point’. As the articles in this issue show, the greatest value of co-production lies in recognising and adapting to the research topic, the context, and the needs and priorities of service users, communities and services. This can enable research to answer questions that would otherwise not be identified or possible.