Table 1.

Consumer engagement guiding principles: how this research achieved meaningful outcomes*.

Guiding principles	How were these guiding principles met by the researcher?	CAGa members’ engagement survey responses
Build and preserve relationships based on trust, respect, dignity, and transparency	• Researcher** maintained communication with CAG throughout doctoral research, including checking in on how members were going during the Covid-19 Pandemic. • Researcher communicated early the expectations and aims of the CAG.	‘I was given the opportunity and platform to add my voice. I felt my voice (and dis experience) was valued and used to assist with shaping the research program. It was a very different feeling to being a participant in research’ (Mb4) ‘The content and findings were extremely motivating. The dynamics and conversation within the group was also a driving factor as there was a robust discussion which personally was extremely motivating’ (M3).
Share decision-making	• CAG assisted in the interpretation of findings for study 1. • CAG consulted on interview schedules for study 1 and 2. • CAG consulted on potential participants for study 2. • CAG consulted on all public facing material such as infographics summarising each study; recruitment advertisements; and conference presentation material. • CAG members collaborated with a conference presentation and script for the VYTd competition.	‘Engagement with the other participants as well as [the researcher]. It was great to hear others and contribute’ (M5). ‘Believing in the research direction, and being made to feel like my contribution was valued and incorporated’ (M4).
Facilitate open, honest, and responsive communication	• Formal meetings conducted at key points during the doctoral research. • Researcher provided updates in-between meetings, including study outcomes and feedback from presentations and supervision meetings. • Researcher followed up with members one-to-one if information was taken out of context with ad-hoc emails between members.	‘People were genuine and passionate, and it is a subject matter that is enormously influential’ (M1).
Recognise, value, and share diversity in expertise and knowledge	• CAG members given equal opportunity to provide input during meetings, and to share reflections and thoughts. • Researcher equally respected and valued each members’ input. • Researcher aimed to be responsive to members’ skills, capacity and expectations as the doctoral research evolved and opportunities rose.	‘There was a tangible feeling of sharing power and contributing to the direction of [the researcher’s] work.’ (M4) ‘I feel I’ve been able to express my thoughts along the way, and for them to be taken on board. This has been a particularly satisfying aspect of my participation, and I felt like a significant contributor to the study’ (M6).
Be flexible and receptive to allow tailored research to match project aims and context	• Studies comprising the doctoral research were directed by the doctoral research topic and responsive to gaps in knowledge. • Studies were presented to the CAG, which facilitated shared understanding of research aims and goals.	‘Gave me the chance to think in a new way about the issues, and to feel my thoughts had weight. I also appreciated the qualitative approach, where our contributions evolved over time’ (M6).
Participate through meaningful partnerships	• CAG members participated at informing, consultative, involving and collaborative levels at appropriate times and for appropriate activities pre and during the doctoral research. • Researcher aimed to be responsive to member’s skills, capacity and expectations as the doctoral research evolved and opportunities rose. • CAG members were invited to participate in dissemination activities.	‘To contribute to the discussion, and the collective effort to better portray/understand SCI in media’ (M1) ‘It is a very important subject, and I felt the need to get language in the community correct. It’s important to be heard and seen by the media and others as a person and not a number. Correct terms need to be used by them’ (M5).
Address ethical considerations, such as research that is relevant, useful and/or useable	• Researcher engaged with people with SCI pre doctoral research to consult on the doctoral research topic. • Researcher engaged with people with SCI throughout the doctoral research to ensure studies comprising the doctoral research were relevant and were a valuable contribution to a better understanding of the lived experience of SCI.	‘To help studies that will benefit people like myself’ (M2) ‘I value the opportunity to be part of a project which may seek to one-day change how people with spinal cord injuries are portrayed which in turn impact the quality of life of people with spinal injuries’ (M3).
Respect financial and practical constraints	• CAG members were offered remuneration as an appreciation for their time and to cover out-of-pocket expenses. • Researcher arranged meetings for times that suited majority of members. If someone could not attend the researcher arranged a one-to-one meeting.	CAG members did not describe remuneration as an enabler, however, during the doctoral research members expressed gratitude for remuneration offered and was accepted.

^aConsumer Advisory Group, ^bCAG member (members completed survey anonymously), ^cSpinal Cord Injury, ^dVisualise Your Thesis.

^*Data for this table came from meeting transcripts, email correspondence, primary researcher’s handwritten notes diarised throughout the doctoral candidature, and responses to the Consumer Advisory Group engagement survey.

^**Primary researcher.