Introduction to Engaged Research

Engaged research is a collaborative approach involving community members, stakeholders, and end users throughout the research process. It is defined in various ways, emphasising mutual benefits, public involvement, action-oriented outcomes, and the dual goals of academic contribution and community well-being. Engaged research offers numerous societal benefits, including enhancing the relevance and impact of research findings, improving research quality, empowering communities, building trust between academia and society, facilitating the translation of research into practice, addressing complex societal challenges, and ensuring ethical research practice. The roots of engaged research can be traced to various academic traditions and social movements.