The MARGIN network: Trauma- and violence-informed participatory research in Sweden

With the support of Forte´s network grant, we will be able to launch the MARGIN network: a network promoting trauma- and violence-informed Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) with marginalised groups.PPI, including co-production or co-creation of research, is established in international health research and increasingly encouraged by Swedish research funders.

However, there are many legal, practical and cultural considerations specific to different contexts. For this reason, many countries have set up national PPI networks or research centres.

Smaller unofficial networks are starting to form organically in Sweden, but most interested researchers turn to international networks or informal contacts.

The MARGIN network is initiated by researchers and professionals in public health, medicine, psychology, medical law and Nordic languages.

Some of us are experienced PPI researchers while others are experienced in working with and researching trauma and violence. Those of us who are actively involved in PPI often receive external requests to share our experiences.

Often the questions are about involving marginalised groups, such as refugees or individuals with experiences of violence, in research, as the trauma- or violence focus means specific considerations of a practical and ethical nature.In the MARGIN network, we want to create space to share methods, experiences, good examples and ethical issues.

We know that important work is going on, but we see a lack of arenas and knowledge exchange; knowledge sharing will be encouraged across disciplines and we will work to foster multidisciplinary collaborations.

The network will be a platform for adapting international knowledge to the Swedish academic context, and making it available.

Our goal is that the network will result in, among other things, joint seminars, position papers and a website with resources and recommendations for PPI for other researchers to take benefit from.