About CIRA
Consumers in Research Australia (CIRA) is a national, consumer-led platform built to transform how people with lived experience and researchers come together.
How CIRA is Different
Built by consumers, for consumers and researchers
We’re led by people who understand the lived experience, and what it means to walk into a research space that wasn’t designed with you in mind.
Real connections, not just a list
CIRA isn’t about ticking boxes. It’s about finding shared purpose. We’re building a dynamic platform that grows with the community and facilitates real relationships between consumers and research teams.
Supportive and inclusive
We meet people where they’re at. Whether you're just starting out or have years of experience, we’ll provide tools, resources, and connection to help you take the next step.
Our Purpose
For too long, engaging consumers in research has relied on informal networks, chance connections, or token gestures. CIRA changes that by creating a dedicated space where consumers and researchers can connect with purpose—supported by tools, training, and shared values.
We’re here to:
Build a national community of consumers and researchers ready to work together
Make engagement easier, more accessible, and more impactful
Help teams meet best-practice standards for consumer involvement
Offer practical, human support—not just theory
Whether you’re a seasoned researcher, a health consumer new to advocacy, or somewhere in between, CIRA is designed to support you.
Who is CIRA For?
Consumers
People with lived or living experience of a health condition, service, or system who want to use their story and insight to create change through research.
Researchers and Project Leads
Health and medical researchers seeking authentic consumer engagement to strengthen and shape their work.
Institutions, Services & Funders
Teams committed to improving the quality, equity, and impact of their research through better engagement.
Meet Jess Taylor – Founder of CIRA
CIRA was born out of both passion and frustration, led by Jess Taylor, a long-time advocate, strategist, and changemaker in consumer engagement.
For more than 12 years, Jess has trained, mentored, and supported hundreds of consumers to confidently step into research and policy spaces. She’s worked alongside universities, health services, governments, and funders to build more inclusive, transparent models of research.
As someone with lived experience of navigating the healthcare system, Jess knows how powerful and how rare it is to feel truly heard. She founded CIRA to build a national, purpose-built infrastructure where lived experience is not only welcomed, but deeply valued.
Jess believes that when we empower consumers and support researchers, we don’t just improve projects we change outcomes.