Research domains
This is especially relevant for funding evaluation, especially when assessing impacts, but it could also be relevant in a variety of domains and settings.
Context and considerations
This idea is connected with the following ideas where further details can be found: - Community impact evaluation - Multidimensional “diversity” in evaluation committees - Non-expert panels - Research users impacted as evaluators
Challenges and mitigations
Evaluating success
Relevant resources and literature
This section includes resources, literature, and reports relevant to this specific experimental idea.
Templates from funders and institutions
Case examples and literature
Several funders involve members of the public in their review panels, see for example NIHR and Health Research Board Ireland.
Luo, J., Ma, L., Shankar, K. (2021). **Does the inclusion of non-academic reviewers make any difference for grant impact panels?. Science and Public Policy, 48(6), pp. 763–775.
Junwen Luo (2021, 25 August), What role should non-academics have in evaluating the potential impact of new research projects? LSE Impact Blog .
Baxter S, Clowes M, Muir D, Baird W, Broadway-Parkinson A, Bennett C. (2016). Supporting public involvement in interview and other panels: a systematic review. Health Expect, 20(5). p. 807-817.
A blog post that describes the experience as a public member of a research funding panel: Adam Forristal Golberg (2025, 25 February), A peek inside a research funding panel. Cash for Questions: Research funding, policy and development.