Engagement along the research process

Engagement is not a single step in a project; it is a continuous practice that evolves as your research develops. There are key considerations at each stage of the research process, from fostering early relationships through to reflecting on future opportunities.

As you read through each section, use the questions and prompts to guide your thinking, plan your approach, and identify what meaningful engagement looks like for your context, partners and goals.

Nurture networks

Regularly and actively connect with your peers and those who share common interests; listen, share and stay curious. Take time to map and understand key stakeholders and identify where existing relationships already sit, while also allowing space for new connections to develop naturally. Look out for opportunities or knowledge that could benefit others, and actively facilitate connections, even when they do not directly benefit you.

• Who are some key current and potential stakeholders/partners?
• Is there anyone you would like to work with? Reflect on why you have selected these people/groups.
• Where are some existing or common opportunities to connect?

Be open to emerging opportunities and collaborations, future directions

Start by understanding the wider context and thinking at a systems level, taking time to consider relevant strategic priorities, whether they are the university’s or those of your partners. Build awareness of the research landscape, including previous work, emerging developments, and broader political, economic, societal, and international dynamics that may shape priorities or create new opportunities. Stay attuned to changes such as shifts in government focus, upcoming funding rounds, key events, and areas of synergy across the institution and beyond. As you deepen this understanding, intentionally identify and make opportunities to spend time with your peers to strengthen relationships and foster shared insight.

• What are some emerging opportunities or challenges in your sector? Think about political, economic, societal, domestic/international changes.
• How does your work align or not align with relevant strategies?
• Thinking about your potential/current partners, what are their priorities/aspirations? How might they be affected by emerging challenges or opportunities?
• Has there been previous work or collaborations with these groups?

Prime for the opportunity to engage

Bring potential partners in early, understand their context, and explore how we can be of benefit to each other.

• Where is there mutual alignment and commonality?

Reach out

Create ample time and space for connection, proactively reaching out to build understanding and relationships before introducing any asks. Depending on your team, identify who is most appropriate to person reach out (i.e. researcher, team member or professional staff).

• Who is the correct or most appropriate contact point, and what is the most appropriate mode of connection?
• Has anyone engaged with this group before?
• Is an introduction required?
• Have engagement activities been budgeted for?

Understand and acknowledge research partner needs

Take time to understand your partner’s strategic aspirations, priorities, and challenges. Explore how they anticipate overcoming barriers, and identify what support, if any, they may require along the way. If possible, learn about any previous research or collaborations they have undertaken:

• How did these collaborations go?
• What outcomes were achieved?
• Where are things now, and what lessons can be carried forward?
• What does good co-design look for this partner?

Use this understanding to shape what your team can offer, identify areas of alignment, and highlight shared aspirations.

Explore opportunities together

Identify shared outputs and outcomes that are realistic, achievable through partnership, and meet the needs of both parties. This may be an iterative process and may take some time.

• Where do aspirations not align or are contradictory? Take the time to explore this.

Plan the research together

Ensure all partners have a clear, shared understanding of what will happen, how the collaboration will operate, and who is responsible for each component. Everyone should understand what is expected of them and what they can expect in return. Work from your shared outcomes backwards, to plan what needs to be completed, and by when. This includes not only project end points but also the processes for how data is appropriately collected, managed, stored and used. Make sure you understand the resources and processes that need to be anticipated from an institutional perspective to make each step smooth (i.e. contracting in time), and who else needs to be informed or involved. Finalise the research question together, and map out milestones, timelines and check-in points.

• What is the mutually agreed goal?
• What are some expected outputs? What would be considered 'success'?
• What are some roles that are shared/delegated?
• Have you completed a budget?
• Have you managed expectations around budget, roles, outputs, data, infrastructure, timelines, etc.?
• What are some expected timelines?
• When will you have regular check-ins?
• How will you collect, store and manage data? What happens to the data after the project is completed?
• Are there IP considerations to discuss?
• Are there any infrastructure considerations?
• What do you need to anticipate from a university perspective to make the processes as smooth as possible for external partners (contracting, raising Purchase Orders, etc.)?
• Are there any other groups or individuals that need to be involved or aware of the project?
• Where might you build in contingency (e.g. change of staff, capacity building, delays, change in government)?
• Do you need to acknowledge or compensate your partners for their time, expertise, etc.?

Conduct and manage research, interpretation of new knowledge gained

Build in regular check-ins to ensure partners have what they need and feel supported. Anticipate challenges or barriers, take the time to understand concerns, and address them early. Be an ally where needed to support the interactions and experiences that build a safe, trusted environment for a strong partnership. Ensure partners are active participants in the process; acknowledge expertise beyond academia and authentically listen to and implement their advice and knowledge. Work together to analyse and interpret the data. Tell a story together.

• How will you build in regular check-ins to ensure partners have what they need and are supported?
• Where might you see some potential challenges or barriers. How might you address them?
• How can your partners be an active participant in the process; how can you privilege their expertise and implement their advice and knowledge?
• How can you embed your partners in the team, i.e. in leadership?

Share, publish findings

Take the time to translate the knowledge and share your findings in the medium that is most appropriate for the audience, using the kind of language, frames of reference and models they use - not merely those you are familiar with. This may not be the medium you typically use, therefore engage with any research communications specialists as appropriate, or get in touch with the research impact team to discuss your ideas.

• How will you translate the knowledge and share your findings in the medium that is most appropriate for the audience?
• What are other ways of knowledge translation beyond publication?
• Who will you need to bring on board to help tell your story?
• How will you reciprocate the contribution from communities or partners involved in the work?

Review, learn, share and seed

Review the work with your research partners and wider team to understand the extent to which you delivered the outputs and outcomes you said you would, what impact these have had, what next steps might best look like, and any future opportunities for research. Look at how you might translate these findings and implement them into practice.

• Have you delivered the outputs and outcomes you said you would?
• How can you determine what impact these have had?
• What do next steps look like? Are there any future opportunities for research?
• How might you translate any findings and implement them into practice?

Te Puna Tiketike | Research and Innovation Office
Email: researchimpact@auckland.ac.nz