We talk a lot about co-creation as the solution for any initiative that involves multiple partners or stakeholders, but what does it mean to truly co-create something, and why is it so important to get it right?
What Is Co-Creation?
In my head (so probably not the textbook definition), co-creation is the collaborative development of solutions by engaging all relevant stakeholders, researchers, clinicians and operational teams from the outset. In so doing, it moves beyond consultation to genuine partnership, where each voice shapes the design, implementation, and evaluation of our efficiency programme solutions.
The benefits it brings compared to top-down initiatives are:
- Shared ownership: Everyone involved has a stake in the outcome.
- Contextual relevance: Solutions are tailored to the realities of each setting.
- Long-term viability: Programmes are more likely to be adopted, sustained, and scaled.
In the context of a Joint Research Office (JRO), why does co-creation matter so much?
1. Accelerated Study Initiation
Initiating a study involves navigating a complex web of feasibility assessments, ethics approvals, contracting, and site readiness. Co-creation helps streamline this process by:
- Engaging stakeholders early: Research management and research teams will know exactly where there are potential delays and also have the practical knowledge and experience to improve them.
- Designing integrated workflows: Jointly developed processes reduce duplication and improve coordination across departments.
- Improving readiness: When everyone understands the timeline and dependencies, studies move from concept to activation more smoothly.
2. Enhanced Delivery of Research
Once a study is underway, delivery challenges can undermine its success. Co-created solutions are more resilient and responsive because they:
- Reflect lived experience: Frontline staff contribute insights that improve protocol feasibility and participant engagement.
- Integrate enabling technologies: Digital tools, shared platforms, and real-time dashboards are more likely to be adopted when co-designed.
- Support adaptive governance: Agile oversight models allow for faster decision-making and issue resolution.
3. Cultural Transformation
Although King’s College London and Guy’s & St Thomas’ have a long-standing history of successful collaboration that spans decades, this is the first time they have worked closely together in this space. As with all new partnerships, acknowledging and navigating cultural differences, understanding current ways of working change can be challenging. Co-creation provides opportunities that foster:
- Trust and transparency: When teams collaborate openly, silos break down and shared goals emerge.
- Empowerment: Staff feel valued and heard, leading to greater engagement and innovation.
- Continuous improvement: A culture of learning and adaptation becomes embedded in everyday practice.
4. Strategic Alignment
When embedding new efficiency programmes into broader institutional and societal goals, co-creation ensures that:
- Strategic ambition meets operational reality: Programmes are both visionary and executable.
- Our Stakeholders see the value: Collaborative approaches demonstrate system-wide learning and scalability.
Final Thoughts…
Achieving efficiency in research initiation and delivery is not a solo pursuit, it’s a shared endeavour. By co-creating solutions, we build systems that are not only faster, but smarter, fairer, and more resilient. Together, research managers and researchers can unlock the full potential of translational and clinical research, delivering better science, faster and with greater impact for patients, communities, and society.