UGot-ReWork: Co-creation Track
Short description
This track within UGoT-REWORK focuses on co-creation as one of several methods to generate data and advance practical solutions for return to work. Through active community engagement with persons impacted by research, professionals, and organisations, co-creation also represents a research ethic and position that honors shared ways of knowing that can contribute to sustainable support for individuals with common mental disorders (CMD) and musculoskeletal disorders (MSD).
Aim
The co-creation track within the University of Gothenburg Center for Interdisciplinary Return-to-Work Studies in Primary Care (UGoT-ReWork) aims to generate knowledge about how co-creation can inform collaborative ways of working across community and governmental organisations. The goal is to develop, evaluate, and implement practical solutions that support individuals living with common mental disorders (CMD) or musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) in their return-to-work processes.
Background
Co-creation is central to the UGoT-ReWork approach and involves close collaboration with community members and relevant partners as well as organizations throughout the entire research process—from project design to implementation. Within this track, “co-” refers to the active engagement of people who are directly or indirectly affected by the research outcomes. This includes individuals with lived experience, professionals, and organisational representatives. Co-creation is understood not only as a method but as a collaborative stance—one that can be inclusive, participatory, and focused on developing sustainable and meaningful solutions. By integrating co-creative approaches, the track contributes to methodological innovation in return-to-work (RTW) research, with relevance both nationally and internationally.
Methods & Outcomes
Co-creation processes are facilitated through a range of inclusive community-based activities, such as:
- Town hall meetings
- World café dialogues
- Public engagement events
- Interactive workshops
- Other participatory formats for generating qualitative and quantitative data
The outcomes of the co-creation track are shaped collaboratively across different work packages. This ensures that results are relevant, grounded in real-world needs, and adaptable across contexts.