User-led research in mental health: history, impact and current configurations

For the first time, this project will bring together the historical and contemporary strands that make up the field of user-led research in mental health. 

User-led research destabilises the traditional knowledge base of mental health discourse and practice, through which experts have been seen as the custodians of evidence and knowledge. This project will trace the histories of international mental health user movements and user-led research. It will also investigate the impact of user-led research on mental health service provision, both in terms of what has been achieved and what is envisioned.