‘It opened my eyes’: reflecting with stakeholders on the personal impact of a participatory research project

In this practice case study, we explore the personal impact of a participatory research project in the UK on community and university researchers. We discuss the key themes that emerged from a reflective discussion with community researchers and the partner organisation at the end of the project: the importance of building and strengthening relationships throughout the project; the opportunity that the project provided all stakeholders to develop new skills and self-confidence; and the balance between giving back to the community through research while also navigating research as insiders. Our experience underscores the importance of self-reflection throughout participatory research projects. This needs to come with the flexibility to adapt research designs, to ensure that all stakeholders are comfortable with their role in the project. Our discussion also highlights the potential for positive personal impacts as a result of participatory research, particularly the opportunity for researchers to acquire new skills and build confidence. These positive effects may be maximised by embedding opportunities for skill consolidation into the research project from the start.