​What co-design isn’t  

 

Many projects say they're co-designed, but they don't necessarily do this. Here’s what doesn’t count as co-design: 

• Consultation: Asking people for input but making decisions separate to them. 

• Focus groups only: Gathering stories but developing solutions without those same people. 

• Feedback sessions after the fact: Checking in with participants once decisions are already made. 

 

While these methods have value, they fall under different levels of engagement. A helpful way to reflect on this is to ask: 

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How deep is your ‘co’? 

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Concept developed by Dr Emma Blomkamp — award-winning researcher, facilitator, and coach whose work continues to shape how co-design is understood and practiced. 

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• Research to people: The community is informed but not involved. 

• Research for people: The community gives input but doesn’t share power. 

• Research with people: The community is part of shaping decisions, processes, and outcomes. 

 

Co-design only exists in that last category; research with people. 

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Dr. Blomkamp explores various dimensions and depths of co-design practices in her article Shades of Co-design. 

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Why does co-design matter? 

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When done well, co-design improves research.  

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It makes the work more relevant, more practical, and more likely to have impact.  

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Including people with disability and others with lived experience means that the research can better reflect the real world. 

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Co-design also shifts power. It helps make sure research isn't just about people with disability but shaped with and by them. 

 

What skills and perspectives need to be on the team? 

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Strong co-design teams bring together a range of perspectives, experiences, and skills. These roles don’t need to be filled by different people. Often, individuals will bring more than one kind of knowledge to the table. 

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The key is to recognise and value the full breadth of what each person offers. 

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People involved in co-design might include: 

• People with disability and others with relevant lived experience 

• Researchers 

• Practitioners, service providers, or policymakers 

• People with design or facilitation skills 

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It’s not about having separate categories. Instead, it’s about building a team that reflects the diversity of experience needed to address the challenge well. 

 

What makes co-design work 

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• Start early. Co-design isn’t something you add at the end. It should shape the project from the beginning. 

• Build real relationships. Trust takes time. Make space for it. 

• Be flexible. Co-design is not always neat and tidy. Research plans need to allow for adjustments and change. 

• Share power. That means people with lived experience leading, or helping lead, not just commenting on plans. 

• Focus on real needs. Co-design won’t fix a research question that isn’t useful or relevant. 

 

Common challenges  

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• Co-design takes time. Build in longer timelines and be realistic about what’s possible. 

• Research structures can be rigid. Plan early, and work with (not against) ethics and funding systems. 

• Sharing leadership can be tricky. Define roles clearly, and make sure everyone is supported to contribute. 

• Good process doesn’t guarantee good outcomes. Choose your topic carefully and stay focused on real-world relevance. 

 

What authentic co-design looks like

 

If you’re applying for funding, especially through the NDRP, you’ll need to: 

• Be specific. Say where and how co-design will happen in your project. 

• Be honest. Don’t use co-design as a buzzword if the project isn’t really collaborative. 

• Show the impact. Explain how lived experience will shape the research. 

• Be realistic. Not every stage of research will be co-designed, and that can be okay. 

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Key questions to ask: 

• Are people with disability part of the research team or just being consulted? 

• Is decision-making truly shared? 

• Have you built in time for revision and changes, discussion, and relationship-building? 

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For common questions about co-design, team roles and more, you can also refer to our 2025 Research Funding Round 1 Frequently Asked Questions. 

 

Co-design in action 

 

Case study: ‘Hey! Hear Me Out’. Deaf and Hard of Hearing First Nations People 

Led by Jody Barney and Dr Alexandra Devine, this project used yarning circles and community leadership to ensure culturally safe engagement. It shifted decision-making power to community members and produced outcomes that truly reflected their needs. 

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Case study: The Summer Foundation. Co-Designing Housing Research 

People with lived experience were part of reference groups, helped shape research questions, and tested real-world solutions. The result? Research that directly informed housing policy and practice. 

 

In summary 

 

Co-design asks us to work with care, creativity, and humility. When done well, it leads to better research and stronger outcomes. But even more importantly, it leads to research that is worth doing because it reflects what people need. 

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Want to learn more? 

• Read the Research Funding Round 1 Frequently Asked Questions

• Register for an upcoming Drop-In Session