Key Principles of Student Engagement in Post-Secondary Mental Health Research

Student engagement involves the meaningful and timely involvement of postsecondary students as experts with lived experience in the processes and decisions that affect them and their community.

In collaboration with post-secondary student advisors and researchers, the Inlight engagement team co-developed key principles of student engagement in mental health research. This process was led in partnership with a Student Advisory Committee composed of current graduate and undergraduate students at the University of Toronto. The principles outlined in this resource are based on learnings from previous research and research-adjacent activities and guided by community-engaged research principles.

These key principles are intended to be used as the foundation for any research activities engaging students as lived experience experts. They should be embedded at all stages of the research process, from project conceptualization through knowledge mobilization. Researchers are encouraged to engage with student partners to adapt these principles to their current project.

Suggested Citation:

McCann E, Ewing L, Cleverley K, & the Inlight Student Advisory Committee (2024). Key Principles of Student Engagement in Post-Secondary Mental Health Research. Inlight Student Mental Health Research Initiative, University of Toronto. Retrieved from: https://smhr.utoronto.ca/student-engagement/