Abstract
Public health services now increasingly request research contributions from experts by experience. However, little is known about how this can best be facilitated. This paper introduces researcher self-disclosure (RSD) as a creative and innovative approach to addressing this limitation. By drawing on a project which explored recovery from childhood trauma, we highlight the opportunities and challenges of using RSD from the perspectives of both the researcher and participants (i.e. co-researcher). In this discussion, we emphasise relevant research design components, such as data generation methods, as important facilitators for this approach. Lastly, we offer learning points about ethical and practical considerations to aid future researchers in disclosing to invite their co-researchers into deeper discussions rather than to ‘story-top’ or silence. By introducing this innovative practice, we seek to inspire an added level of creativity and engagement for co-researchers, which also aligns with the overall ethos of any participatory research design: facilitating emancipatory spaces, recognising the many ways in which the voices of those researched can be shared, and becoming advocates for change.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Journal | Educational Action Research |
| Early online date | 17 Nov 2025 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | E-pub ahead of print - 17 Nov 2025 |
Acknowledgements
This research would not have been possible without the courage, creativity, and commitment of the co-researchers who shared their stories, time, and trust throughout the study. I am deeply grateful for their contributions. I would like to thank my co-author, Dr Maike Klein, for their generous collaboration, thoughtful engagement, and ongoing support throughout the development of this article.Special thanks to the community partners who provided space and encouragement for this work to unfold, and to the wider network of practitioners, survivors, and scholars whose insights and solidarity sustained me through challenging times. This paper draws on doctoral research conducted at the University of Bath and funded by the South West Doctoral Training Partnership (SWDTP). I acknowledge the University of Bath for supervision and institutional support, and the SWDTP for funding the PhD project from which this paper is developed.
Funding
Special thanks to the community partners who provided space and encouragement for this work to unfold, and to the wider network of practitioners, survivors, and scholars whose insights and solidarity sustained me through challenging times. This paper draws on doctoral research conducted at the University of Bath and funded by the South West Doctoral Training Partnership (SWDTP). I acknowledge the University of Bath for supervision and institutional support, and the SWDTP for funding the PhD project from which this paper is developed.
| Funders | Funder number |
|---|---|
| South West Doctoral Training Partnership | |
| University of Bath |
Keywords
- co-production
- creative practice
- feminist participatory action research
- new materialism
- recovery
- trauma
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Education
