The Healthy Trajectories team is excited to offer a uniquely tailored Family Engagement in Research (FER) course for our Australian researchers and family engagement partners, beginning in July 2024.

What is the FER course?

The Family Engagement in Research (FER) course is a 9-week (approximately 32 hour) online course offered by Healthy Trajectories in partnership with CanChild Centre for Childhood Disability Research, McMaster University. The FER course covers principles and frameworks of family engagement in research alongside discussions of the practicalities and challenges of research partnership.

What will I do during the FER course?

The course design and content aim to create a supportive environment to share ideas, experiences, and practical working methods to help participants develop confidence and competence in both the theory and practice of family engagement in research. A unique component of the FER course is that individuals with lived experience of disability and researchers collaborate in small groups to create a Knowledge Translation (KT) tool highlighting best practices in FER.

Who is the FER course for?

• Researchers working or aspiring to work in the field of child and youth health and disability research who would like to know how to partner with consumers genuinely and effectively in their research.
• People with lived/living experience of child/youth-onset disability or other chronic health conditions (as a young adult or parent/caregiver) who are currently involved or would like to become involved in research as a family engagement partner (consumer).

When is the FER course delivered?

The course is delivered over 9 weeks. There is an expectation that course participants will attend four 2-hour online sessions and commit to group work and independent guided learning outside the virtual sessions. Participants have the choice of attending the online sessions on either a Wednesday or Thursday, 10:00am to 12:00noon AEST and you don’t need to attend the same day each week). The estimated course work time commitment is 3-4 hours per week.

Key dates:

*All times are AEST.

Course fees:

A limited number of funded places will be offered, with preference given to those with lived/living experience of child/youth-onset disability or other chronic health conditions.

What last year’s participants said:

• “Amazing instructors! I loved that there were so many of them, from so many perspectives. Thank you for making that a priority in your delivery of this course! It was one of the highlights…”  
• “Meeting new people, learning about family partnerships, small group activities, whole group discussions – I learnt so much listening to more experienced researchers and amazing family engagement partners (consumers).”
• “I enjoyed how the instructors integrated all content (e.g., readings, Zoom session content, simulations). It was clear how the information related to our course objectives. I liked how additional resources were provided if we wanted to learn more.”

Applications opened Monday 8 April 2024. Complete the online application form and submit before 5.00pm Friday 31 May 2024 (AEST) to be considered for the 2024 course.

A copy of the full course brochure can be downloaded here.

Unsure about whether this course is right for you? Have questions about the course and/or application process? Wish to discuss individual accessibility requirements /supports to help you participate? Don’t hesitate to reach out to us by email or phone (0484 252 419) to discuss.