Tools of engagement
At the VistaMilk research centre, based at Teagasc Moorepark, researchers are examining how engaged research can improve results for end-users.
Research Officer Rosie Giglia (left) with VistaMilk colleagues at the Moorepark ’25 Open Day. Photo credit: Teagasc.
Picture this: you are a dairy farmer with a keen interest in promoting sustainability and animal welfare on your farm. You always track the latest research and are excited to read an article about a cutting-edge cow monitor that will reduce your workload and improve your animals’ health and emissions. However, when the new device hits the market, you discover it requires a smartphone model that you don’t use, has an upfront cost well outside your current budget, and is viewed negatively by your neighbours and customers.
“Would you decide to use the device on your farm? Probably not,” says Rosie Giglia, a Research Officer based at Teagasc Ashtown.
“Meanwhile, the researchers who designed the device are left scratching their heads as to why few people want to adopt their time-saving, environment-protecting, profit-increasing solution.”
While this device and scenario are fictional, this problem is common in traditional agricultural research, Rosie continues.
“When we don’t work with our end users, we risk wasting valuable time and resources pursuing solutions with little real-world impact.”
At Research Ireland’s VistaMilk research centre, hosted at Teagasc Moorepark, researchers have been looking into the concept of engaged research and its potential benefits for end-users.
With, not for
In contrast to traditional approaches, engaged research is research done with societal partners instead of for them. It is important in research organisations like Teagasc because agricultural research findings can lead to policy or commercial changes that impact growers, consumers, and businesses, even when they are not involved in the research. “When these groups are not involved in our research, we can produce outputs that are distrusted, unsuitable, unnecessary or even harmful,” Rosie notes.
VistaMilk is working to enhance the sustainability of the dairy sector through precision agri-tech solutions. It has established a robust education and public engagement programme and is now working to integrate engaged research into the core activities of the centre. ‘The Farmer’s Voice’ is an engaged research project shaping the VistaMilk research programme using farmer opinions.
In 2022 and 2024, VistaMilk ran surveys at the National Ploughing Championships asking participants what dairy research they felt VistaMilk should focus on over the next five years. Responses revealed strong interest in grass management, breeding and genetics, emissions, and profitability across both years. However, comparison between the two dates suggested decreased interest in some topics (e.g. mastitis and milk composition) and increased interest in others (e.g. young farmers and water quality). These findings emphasise the need for early and ongoing engagement to account for changes in farmers’ needs and priorities.
Enabling responsive results
These results will now be discussed in focus groups with dairy farmers to give context to these responses and explore changes over time. The groups will also be asked for their feedback on current VistaMilk research in the areas that are most important to them.
“The farmers’ research interests and needs will be used by VistaMilk’s Executive Committee to shape the centre’s research plan, and farmer feedback on individual projects will be shared with the relevant researchers,” Rosie explains.
“Finally, the participating farmers will be shown how their feedback was used by the researchers to open a two-way path for ongoing communication. This project will help ensure that VistaMilk’s research is responsive to its end-users.”
By involving farmers from the beginning of this project, three major benefits emerge. The first is upholding democratic principles: if farmers will be affected by VistaMilk’s work, then they have the right to participate in that work.
Secondly, research done collaboratively is more likely to be accepted and adopted.
Specifically, Teagasc researchers found that farmers are more likely to adopt research solutions that they helped to create.
Finally, researchers produce better research when they incorporate real-world insight from their target users. Farmers, for example, might identify unintended consequences or potential solutions that would be missed by the research team alone.
“These benefits improve our ability to tackle complex or controversial problems in areas like climate change, future food systems, data privacy, and animal welfare,” notes Rosie.
“An engaged approach will enable the creation of policies, programmes, and products that are responsive to the needs, priorities, and values of the farmers they affect.”
Small steps, big value
Engaged research builds on the work that many Teagasc researchers are already doing, such as involving farmers as data collectors or product evaluators. However, engaged research moves this collaboration earlier in the research process and gives greater decision-making power to participants to ensure that their input is central.
Engaged research is extremely beneficial to Teagasc, but it can also be unfamiliar, time-consuming, and labour-intensive. Because of this, engaged research should not be a one-size-fits-all requirement for all projects. However, adds Rosie, there are small steps that all researchers can take to add value to their research through engagement.
“Speaking to people like farmers, consumers, and policy makers at open days, public events, and online can help you give context to your work and anticipate areas that will need further engagement. Involve as many relevant groups as possible and commit to using their input.
Attendees at Moorepark ‘25 Open Day; open days are good opportunities to speak with farmers and decision-makers about new research. Photo credit: Teagasc.
Evidence from other institutions also suggests that access to experience sharing groups helps engaged research flourish, so share your engaged research successes and learnings with your colleagues!”
These practices can create a system by which engaged research is integrated into Teagasc research and seen by all partners as both important and achievable, she concludes.
“By working together with researchers, farmers, consumers, and other community members, we can produce better research that is relevant, accepted, and, ultimately, impactful.”
Cotton samples used for soil health testing as part of a user-led citizen science project. Photo credit: Teagasc.
Acknowledgements
Claire Brown and Áine Regan contributed to an engaged research literature review that informed this project.
Funding
This research is funded by VistaMilk (Research Ireland).
Contributor
Rosie Giglia, Research Officer, Teagasc Ashtown.