Table 1

Attempting transformation in (community) global health research

The dream—co-owned research with communities	Where possible—co-design sharing responsibility of decision-making	At a minimum: inclusive methods and acknowledgement of contributions
Co-produced questions and research strategy (priorities and goals are set with the community) Long timelines that allow communities to experience change Transfer of power and resources is the outcome—building foundations for future independent work (if needed) Impact occurs during the research process	Co-design and shared practices of research/project implementation Open and flexible research questions Action to ensure transferability and impact after the study	Participatory methods used where research questions are pre-determined by one group Compensation and partnership systems that reflect understandings of local need Reflection and action on transferability of outcomes.
Likely actors: senior/protected academics at top of current power structures with flexibility to push boundaries	Likely actors: mid-career academics locked within difficult systems, but some control over design	Likely actors: early career or precarious researchers with limited control over design