Adolescent Involvement in Co‐Authoring Peer Reviewed Publications: A Reflection of Challenges and Best Practice Recommendations

TL;DR

This paper discusses how adolescents can be included as co-authors in research publications and offers guidance for ethical collaboration.

Contribution

The paper provides novel best practice recommendations for involving adolescents as co-authors in peer-reviewed publications.

Findings

Adolescents can meaningfully contribute to research publications when given proper support.

There are ethical and practical challenges in involving adolescents as co-authors.

Collaboration with adolescents leads to more inclusive and authentic research outcomes.

Abstract

Adolescents (10–24 years old) are increasingly being included as research partners or co‐researchers in line with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. However, there is no existing guidance that explores the nuance of how adolescents can be involved as co‐authors in peer reviewed research publications. Through this article, we reflect on our experiences co‐authoring peer reviewed publications with adolescents and support this by drawing upon empirical evidence. This Viewpoint article discusses challenges before, during and after publication and provides guidance to journals, publishers, and researchers on ethically and authentically involving adolescents as co‐authors. We also propose best practice recommendations to support co‐authorship with adolescents. This article is intended to create a more inclusive publication landscape for adolescents who are increasingly participating as co‐researchers across health research and should rightly be included as co‐authors. Patient and Public Contribution: This article was written in collaboration with adolescents, professionals and academics contributing equally. All authors contributed to article planning, investigation, reviewing and editing and approving the final version of the article.