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Help us learn from your experiences!

We know that consumers are an essential part of our health research and innovation. That’s why we have established the IPAN Consumer Network as a way for Australians of all ages and backgrounds to share their lived experience to help us design, develop and deliver research that can be used in the real world.

If you:

have or are at risk of an illness or health condition
care or have cared for someone with an illness or health condition
work in an area where IPAN research outcomes are delivered e.g. as a clinician, teacher, nurse, allied health professional, or
have a general interest in contributing to research

We invite you to express your interest in joining the IPAN Consumer Network!

All Consumer Network members are required to have a valid, or be willing to apply for, a volunteer Working with Children Check (WWCC). This can be a Victorian or Interstate Volunteer WWCC. If you wish to discuss this prior to applying, please contact: ipanconsumers@deakin.edu.au. 

Why join the IPAN Consumer Network?
For our research to be relevant, meaningful and make a real difference, we need to hear the diverse needs, ideas and experiences of everyday Australians.
- Use your experiences and insights to make a difference to the way health research is designed and developed
- Be matched to work alongside our researchers according to your lived experience and interests
- Gain new experiences and skills, learn about the latest research and better understand the research process
- Become part of the IPAN community with invitations to events and seminars
Ways members of the Consumer Network get involved in research:
- Develop new project ideas
- Help to obtain funding by informing grant applications
- Provide advice on appropriate recruitment strategies for studies
- Review and comment on data collection methods such as questionnaires, study materials such as websites, toolkits, and patient information and consent forms
- Interpret data from a consumer perspective and advise on key messages and recommendations arising from the research data
- Share research findings with the community
Activities depend on your interests, skills and time available. This is an opportunity for people who need flexibility to be involved.

FAQs

Any specific skills or knowledge needed to join?

You don’t need any specific skills or knowledge to join. As IPANs research covers all ages and life stages we would like people with many different backgrounds to be involved.

What is important is that you are willing to share your experience and perspectives with the research team. This might be your lived experience of a health condition (or someone else’s) and your unique skills from everyday life (work experience, parenting experience, use of technology).
How much time is required to be a Consumer Network member?

The amount of time you want to contribute is up to you and depends on your personal circumstances. We will match your skills, knowledge and lived experience with opportunities to contribute to our research activities as they arise. You will be advised of the time commitments of each research activity to help you make an informed decision as to whether you want to get involved.
Why do I need a volunteer Working with Children Check (WWCC)?

In Victoria, the Child Safe Standards are compulsory for all organisations providing services to children (people under 18 years of age), including universities. The Deakin community has significant numbers of students under the age of 18 and many more are engaged with the University as research subjects and through work experience and other programs. The University is committed to using the Working with Children Check, as a screening process for volunteers who may encounter children as part of their role. This includes members of the Consumer Network. In all states (except Tasmania and WA), the Volunteer WWCC is free. See links below for more details regarding your relevant State’s WWCC.

Volunteer Working with Children Checks*

Vic – Working with Children Check – free and valid for 5 years

ACT – Working with Children Check – free and valid for 3 years

NSW – Working with Children Check – free and valid for 5 years

SA – Working with Children Check – free and valid for 5 years

QLD – Working with Children Check – free (is also referred to as a Blue Card)

TAS – Working with Children Check $20.40 fee and valid for 5 years

WA – Working with Children Check $11 fee and valid for 3 years

* Information current as of 2/3/2023