Engaging Veterans in Research

Veteran engagement refers to the meaningful, bi-directional involvement of Veterans in the research process. In this context, Veteran engagement does not refer to Veteran participation as subjects of a research study or as a member of a focus group. Instead, they are engaged as active stakeholders who contribute feedback on the direction of the study while it is being planned, conducted, and/or disseminated.

The feedback given by Veterans is based on personal experience that is relevant to the research topic being studied. Their experiences in the military, with a specific health condition, or with receiving Veterans Administration (VA) services gives them a unique perspective and expertise that can serve to improve the quality and impact of research.