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Consumer Program
Become a partner in research at CERA
Are you living with an eye disease or vision loss – or supporting someone who is? Your experiences and insights can shape the future of eye research.
Our Consumer Program partners people like you with our researchers to create studies that reflect the real needs of those impacted by vision conditions.
As a Consumer Advisor, you may be invited to:
- provide feedback on research design, protocols and project plans
- review research grant materials to ensure they are accessible and understandable
- collaborate with researchers throughout a study
- participate in interviews or focus groups as part of a study
- help translate scientific findings into accessible content.
This is essentially a voluntary role – gift cards will be provided depending on the type of involvement as a ‘thank you’ for your contribution or to cover reasonable expenses for your participation. You can choose the level and type of involvement that suits you. You’re also free to opt out at any time.
For more information about the Consumer Program and the Consumer Advisory role, please refer to the frequently asked questions (FAQ) section below.
If you’re interested, click on the button below to complete the expression of interest form. We’ll be in touch to discuss how you can make a difference.
What’s the Consumer Program?
The Consumer Program is an initiative at the Centre for Eye Research Australia (CERA) that invites people with lived experience of eye diseases or vision loss – or those supporting someone with these conditions – to partner with our researchers. As a Consumer Partner, you’ll have opportunities to share your insights and guide research to ensure it meets the real needs of the community.
The Consumer Program is an initiative at the Centre for Eye Research Australia (CERA) that invites people with lived experience of eye diseases or vision loss – or those supporting someone with these conditions – to partner with our researchers. As a Consumer Partner, you’ll have opportunities to share your insights and guide research to ensure it meets the real needs of the community.
Who can join?
We welcome anyone with a lived experience of eye disease or vision loss, as well as those who care for or support people affected by these conditions. Your perspective is invaluable to helping researchers understand the real-world impact of their work.
We will prioritise the eye diseases that our researchers are working on and at this stage encourage people with age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, inherited retinal diseases and diabetic eye disease to apply. We are also keen to welcome people who have participated in clinical trials.
The Consumer Program is open to Australian residents only at this stage.
We welcome anyone with a lived experience of eye disease or vision loss, as well as those who care for or support people affected by these conditions. Your perspective is invaluable to helping researchers understand the real-world impact of their work.
We will prioritise the eye diseases that our researchers are working on and at this stage encourage people with age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, inherited retinal diseases and diabetic eye disease to apply. We are also keen to welcome people who have participated in clinical trials.
The Consumer Program is open to Australian residents only at this stage.
What are my responsibilities?
Consumer advisors might:
- review research materials to ensure they’re accessible and understandable
- provide feedback on research protocols and project plans
- partner with researchers throughout a study
- participate in interviews or focus groups as part of a study
- help translate scientific findings into content that’s accessible to the public.
Your level of involvement is flexible, and you can choose the types of activities that align with your interests.
Consumer advisors might:
- review research materials to ensure they’re accessible and understandable
- provide feedback on research protocols and project plans
- partner with researchers throughout a study
- participate in interviews or focus groups as part of a study
- help translate scientific findings into content that’s accessible to the public.
Your level of involvement is flexible, and you can choose the types of activities that align with your interests.
Will I participate in clinical trials?
No, this program does not involve clinical trial participation. Instead, it focuses on guiding and shaping research and the experience people have in clinical trials to make what we do more responsive to community needs.
If you’re interested in clinical trials, please visit our Cerulea Clinical Trials website for information on study recruitment.
No, this program does not involve clinical trial participation. Instead, it focuses on guiding and shaping research and the experience people have in clinical trials to make what we do more responsive to community needs.
If you’re interested in clinical trials, please visit our Cerulea Clinical Trials website for information on study recruitment.
Are special skills needed?
Not at all. The most important qualification is your lived experience. We’re looking for people who can provide their honest insights and feedback on research. No previous experience in research is needed – just a willingness to share your perspective.
Not at all. The most important qualification is your lived experience. We’re looking for people who can provide their honest insights and feedback on research. No previous experience in research is needed – just a willingness to share your perspective.
Is this a paid role?
The Consumer Advisor role is essentially a voluntary position. It offers the opportunity to impact research and ensure it better meets the community’s needs, but there is no specific financial compensation.
Gift cards will be provided as a ‘thank you’ for your contribution or to cover reasonable expenses for your participation. These will be provided in line with the Guidelines for Equitable and Fair Remuneration for Community Research Participants from the Melbourne Social Equity Institute.
The Consumer Advisor role is essentially a voluntary position. It offers the opportunity to impact research and ensure it better meets the community’s needs, but there is no specific financial compensation.
Gift cards will be provided as a ‘thank you’ for your contribution or to cover reasonable expenses for your participation. These will be provided in line with the Guidelines for Equitable and Fair Remuneration for Community Research Participants from the Melbourne Social Equity Institute.
How much time will it take?
The time commitment can vary based on your availability and interest. We’ll reach out to you with opportunities as they arise, and you’re free to choose which ones you’d like to be involved in.
Whether you want to contribute occasionally or more regularly, your involvement is valued.
The time commitment can vary based on your availability and interest. We’ll reach out to you with opportunities as they arise, and you’re free to choose which ones you’d like to be involved in.
Whether you want to contribute occasionally or more regularly, your involvement is valued.
Can I opt out?
You can opt out at any time, no questions asked. We want this program to be a positive and fulfilling experience for you.
You can opt out at any time, no questions asked. We want this program to be a positive and fulfilling experience for you.
What happens after applying?
Once you’ve submitted your expression of interest, a member of our team will reach out to discuss your background, interests, and the types of activities you’d like to participate in. We’ll then keep you in our database and match you with opportunities as they arise.
Please note: We are prioritising people with experience of the eye diseases currently being researched at CERA. These include age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, inherited retinal diseases and diabetic retinopathy.
Once you’ve submitted your expression of interest, a member of our team will reach out to discuss your background, interests, and the types of activities you’d like to participate in. We’ll then keep you in our database and match you with opportunities as they arise.
Please note: We are prioritising people with experience of the eye diseases currently being researched at CERA. These include age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, inherited retinal diseases and diabetic retinopathy.
Is my information confidential?
Yes. Your personal information and feedback will be handled in accordance with CERA’s privacy policy, and we’ll only share your input with the research teams who need it. You can also request further details on how we manage data confidentiality.
Yes. Your personal information and feedback will be handled in accordance with CERA’s privacy policy, and we’ll only share your input with the research teams who need it. You can also request further details on how we manage data confidentiality.
How will you contact me?
When new activities come up, we’ll get in touch via your preferred contact method. You’ll have the flexibility to decide if you’d like to participate on a case-by-case basis.
When new activities come up, we’ll get in touch via your preferred contact method. You’ll have the flexibility to decide if you’d like to participate on a case-by-case basis.
How do I apply?
How can I learn more?
We’d love to hear from you. Please email any question you may have to: ConsumerProgram@cera.org.au
Our team will get back to you with more information.
We’d love to hear from you. Please email any question you may have to: ConsumerProgram@cera.org.au
Our team will get back to you with more information.