Guide to Engaging Stakeholders in Research, Part 3: The Stakeholder Engagement Process

Summary

This video provides an in-depth guide on effectively engaging stakeholders in research. It covers key steps such as defining goals, identifying and recruiting stakeholders, and developing engagement strategies. The video highlights three main types of engagement: communication, consultation, and deliberation. It also emphasizes the importance of diversity, trust-building, and reflective practices to improve future engagement. The content provides practical examples and common pitfalls to avoid, offering valuable insights for researchers to ensure meaningful and successful stakeholder involvement throughout the project lifecycle.

Takeaways

• 😀 Stakeholder engagement is a process involving multiple steps, including goal definition, stakeholder recruitment, planning, conducting the engagement, and reflecting on the outcomes.
• 😀 The first step is to identify and define the goals and expected outcomes of the engagement to ensure clarity and allocate necessary resources.
• 😀 Key engagement goals can be communication (one-way flow of information), consultation (gathering input), and deliberation or co-creation (collaborative decision-making).
• 😀 It is crucial to identify diverse stakeholders to avoid bias and ensure all relevant perspectives are considered, rather than just those with influence or support.
• 😀 Recruitment of stakeholders should be thoughtful and considerate of cultural norms, time commitments, and appropriate communication methods to ensure participation.
• 😀 Engagement activities should be tailored to the type of engagement (communication, consultation, or co-creation) and may include workshops, surveys, interviews, or co-creation sessions.
• 😀 Offering incentives, like gift cards or travel reimbursements, can help encourage participation, especially for more time-intensive engagement activities.
• 😀 It’s important to be transparent with stakeholders about what is expected of them, the time involved, and the resources required, allowing them to make informed decisions.
• 😀 Reflection and feedback after engagement activities are essential to evaluate effectiveness, build trust, and identify areas for improvement in future engagements.
• 😀 Common pitfalls in stakeholder engagement include not clearly defining goals, overlooking diverse perspectives, not considering ethical guidelines (like IRB approval), and poorly designed engagement activities.
• 😀 The engagement process is cyclical and should be revisited throughout the project to ensure ongoing trust and responsiveness to stakeholder needs and feedback.

Q & A

What are the key goals of stakeholder engagement?

The key goals of stakeholder engagement are communication, consultation, and deliberation or co-creation. Communication is used to inform stakeholders, consultation gathers input, and deliberation involves collaboration to create solutions or knowledge together.

Why is it important to identify and define goals before engaging stakeholders?

Defining goals before engaging stakeholders ensures that the engagement process is clear, focused, and relevant. It also helps allocate the necessary resources and time for the project, and ensures that the right stakeholders are involved to meet the project's objectives.

How do you effectively identify the right stakeholders for engagement?

Effective stakeholder identification involves considering criteria such as expertise, interests, influence, and diversity of perspectives. It can include using methods like checklists, peer-reviewed articles, networks, and even census data to ensure all relevant groups are represented.

What are some common challenges when recruiting stakeholders, and how can they be addressed?

Common challenges include not ensuring diversity, unclear or overly technical recruitment materials, and failing to consider the time and effort required from stakeholders. These can be addressed by using accessible language, providing clear expectations, and offering incentives to encourage participation.

What should be considered when developing engagement activities?

When developing engagement activities, you should consider the project's goals, the time and effort required from stakeholders, the type of engagement (communication, consultation, or co-creation), and ethical considerations, such as ensuring inclusivity and transparency.

How can trust be built between researchers and stakeholders?

Trust can be built by being transparent, consistent, and respectful throughout the engagement process. Clear communication, offering opportunities for stakeholders to participate meaningfully, and following ethical guidelines all help build and maintain trust.

What is the role of incentives in stakeholder engagement?

Incentives, such as gift cards, food, travel reimbursements, or accommodations, help encourage stakeholder participation, especially when the engagement requires significant time or effort. They should align with stakeholders' needs and expectations to ensure participation.

What are the benefits of using deliberation or co-creation in stakeholder engagement?

Deliberation or co-creation engages stakeholders in collaborative decision-making, which is especially beneficial when tackling complex issues. It encourages diverse perspectives and can lead to more meaningful and effective solutions, although it requires more resources and time.

How should researchers handle cultural differences when engaging stakeholders?

Researchers should be aware of cultural norms and communication preferences, such as varying levels of internet access or comfort with online platforms. This helps ensure that outreach materials are accessible and that stakeholders feel respected in the process.

Why is reflection an important part of the stakeholder engagement process?

Reflection allows researchers to assess whether their goals, strategies, and activities align with stakeholder needs and expectations. It also helps identify potential pitfalls and improve future engagement efforts, ensuring a continuous cycle of learning and improvement.