Perspectives on Participating in Research Co-production: Evaluation of the co-production approach of the JUst Solutions To Impacts of Climate Exposures for Health in Alaska (JUSTICE-HIA) project

This report presents an independent evaluation of the co-production approach used in the JUst Solutions To Impacts of Climate Exposures for Health in Alaska (JUSTICE-HIA) project, a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency STAR-funded initiative ((Grant #840479) led by the University of Alaska Anchorage in collaboration with partners at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, the University of Washington, and community partners across Alaska.

 

The JUSTICE-HIA project was designed to advance community-centered, equity-focused climate and health research by integrating Indigenous knowledge systems, environmental health science, and decision-support tool development. Central to the project was a co-production framework grounded in diversity, equity, inclusion, justice, and accessibility principles, with an emphasis on meaningful engagement with Tribal, rural, and frontline communities disproportionately affected by wildfire smoke and other climate-related exposures.

 

Evaluation findings show that intentional design choices, such as shared group commitments, in-person workshops, support for Community Liaisons, and built-in feedback loops, helped translate co-production from intent to practice. Participants described the process as “the most engaging project team I’ve ever been a part of” and valued the opportunity to “create something with whole people.” Areas for improvement included providing more contextual grounding for out-of-state researchers and co-defining projects with partners earlier in the process. Team turnover was noted but effectively managed.

This report highlights practical methods for structuring collaborative research that supports meaningful participation, advances equity, and improves the usability of results. Lessons from this project offer a roadmap for applying co-production principles in future collaborations among Indigenous communities, researchers, and agencies.