Paying people with lived experience for their participation: a review of legislation, literature, and practice

Commissioned by the Scottish Human Rights Commission, this research explores different approaches to paying people with lived experience of human rights issues for their time and expertise. In the context of this work, the term “people with lived experience” describes people who contribute to the Commission’s work in their capacity as individuals, rather than as paid representatives of organisations.

The research is not presented as a “how-to” guide, but offers detailed exploration of some of the most challenging considerations in this area. The National Institute of Health Research’s recent guidance, published since this research was conducted, provides a helpful practical overview that complements the analysis in this report.

Access the report (PDF on the SHRC website)