Consumers and research

By partnering with researchers, people with lived experience help shape research that is more relevant, meaningful, and focused on improving health outcomes for patients, carers, and families

Many of our researchers partner with people who have lived experience of a health condition. We call these individuals ‘consumers’.

If you have been affected by a health condition, either as a patient, carer, family member, or supporter, we invite you to join the WEHI Consumer Program. By sharing your experiences and insights, you can help shape medical research and ensure it remains focused on the needs and priorities of the people it aims to help.

Consumers make a difference

Consumers bring valuable lived experience and insights that help researchers understand the real-world impact of health conditions on patients, carers, and families.

At WEHI, consumers partner with researchers to strengthen research design, improve translation, and ensure research remains relevant to community needs. They also help communicate scientific issues and research outcomes to the broader community.

Through training and ongoing support, consumers contribute confidently to research, governance, and decision-making, providing perspectives that complement scientific expertise and help shape more meaningful and impactful research.

Embedding consumers into research teams

As a member of the WEHI Consumer Program, you can:

Contribute to medical research by sharing your lived experience and expertise.
Partner with researchers to help shape research projects.
Assist researchers in communicating their work in plain language.
Provide insights into how research can better meet the needs of patients, carers, families, and the community.
Become part of the WEHI community through invitations to events, seminars, and engagement opportunities.

No scientific or medical background is required.

Consumers typically meet with their researcher around four times each year, either in person or via videoconferencing, to discuss project progress and provide feedback.

While consumers volunteer their time, WEHI provides training, support, and resources to ensure they can participate confidently and meaningfully.

Can you help?

WEHI researchers are currently seeking consumers with experience of:

Blood cancers	Acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) Leukaemia Lymphoma B-cell malignancies Paediatric blood cancers Blood cancer carers
People treated with immunotherapies
People who have participated in clinical trials or experimental treatments
Solid cancers	Breast cancer Lung cancer Colorectal (bowel) cancer Pancreatic cancer Liver cancer Endometrial cancer Oral cancer Brain cancer Gastric (stomach) cancer Head and neck cancer Neuroblastoma Ovarian cancer Melanoma Prostate cancer
Infection and immune conditions	Long COVID Long COVID carers Chronic infections Malaria Cancer-related infections Immunodeficiency disorders (including SCID and combined immunodeficiencies)
Autoimmune and inflammatory conditions	Crohn’s disease Ulcerative colitis Lupus Allergy Asthma Eczema Psoriasis Hidradenitis Suppurati
Rare diseases	Fanconi anaemia Bloom syndrome

Above: Dr Gabi Brumatti with George, a survivor of acute myeloid leukaemia (AML)

“George is more than my consumer, he’s my inspiration.”

– Dr Gabi Brumatti

Consumer Advisory Panel

The Consumer Advisory Panel (CAP), chaired by Dr John Hamill, provides governance oversight and strategic advice to help align WEHI research with community expectations and priorities.

The CAP advises the WEHI director and Head of Clinical Discovery & Translation on consumer involvement in research and supports high-quality, ethical, and consistent engagement across the institute.

The CAP also creates opportunities for researchers and consumers to build meaningful working relationships that strengthen research design, enhance translation, and provide an important community voice on scientific issues that impact society.

Resources

Melbourne Academic Centre for Health (MACH): WEHI Consumer Program Evaluation
Health Expectations: Patient and public involvement in preclinical and medical research

More information

To learn more about joining the Consumer Program, contact Katya Gray, Consumer Program Manager:

Email: consumers@wehi.edu.au