When we began shaping the dissemination strategy for TIMESPAN, one thing was clear: we didn’t want to talk at people, we wanted to talk with them. That’s why we have committed to a grassroots approach that makes local engagement a central part of how we share our work.
Why? Because TIMESPAN explores what it means to navigate care, policy, and time in real life, not just in theory. If we want our research to matter, we need to engage directly with the people living those experiences.
What is a grassroots approach?
A grassroots dissemination strategy means taking research beyond academic papers and conferences and into the everyday lives of people who are directly affected by the topics we study. It involves collaboration, dialogue, and listening. In short: working with communities rather than simply presenting to them.
This approach is especially important for TIMESPAN, which explores how adults with ADHD and co-occurring conditions like obesity and type 2 diabetes experience care, and health systems in their daily lives. These are not just theoretical issues, they shape real people’s realities.
What does a grassroots dissemination strategy actually look like?
Bringing research closer to people
While academic formats like conferences and papers are important, they’re not the only way to create impact. Our grassroots approach helps us connect with communities in more accessible and meaningful ways, through listening, local collaboration, and real-life exchange.
A key part of this is our close collaboration with ADHD and obesity organisations, who work directly with the communities our research aims to serve. These partnerships help us ensure that lived experiences are not just heard, but meaningfully shape our project.
A great example of this was our patient-focused event held earlier this year, where we invited people with lived experiences to share their stories and how they navigate diagnosis, long-term care, and the everyday ups and downs of their conditions.
It wasn’t a one-way presentation. It was a conversation. About how medical systems, policies, and timelines affect real lives. People shared how they perceive time during long-term treatment journeys, how gaps in care shape their routines, and how policy decisions impact their access to support. Their stories enriched our project and reminded us why this work matters.
Why it matters
Dissemination is not just about visibility but about relevance and resonance. When people feel like the research speaks to them, they engage. When they see themselves reflected in the process, they contribute. And when they’re involved from the start, the impact lasts longer.
Our grassroots approach keeps us grounded and responsive. It opens space for dialogue and makes our work more dynamic. Most importantly, it ensures that the knowledge we’re producing does not just stay within academic circles but it reaches and resonates with those who can use it.
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