Time to listen

Description/Abstract

Gaining authentic voices in the production of research includes reflection on the process of research itself. The following paper reports on the work of an advisory group and raises issues about the extent to which it should be anticipated that such groups represent the feelings and interests of the wider community without the infrastructure and support to enable them to access these. Should we therefore conclude that advisory group members only speak for themselves? The process of developing the article also surfaced the emotional impact of recognizing that,whilst people may not share the same opinion or view, all views are valid. The paper provides important insights on the experience of contributing to the work of the group and the practices that support this. It was co-written using transcripts of discussion together with debate on symbol selection, to select key meanings to share with a wider audience. The paper is submitted here in both forms, without commentary or distancing academic argument, in recognition of the true value of such partnerships.