Recovery Research Incorporating Situational Experience (RRISE) Workgroup

The Recovery Research Incorporating Situational Experience (RRISE) workgroup focuses on building an empirical evidence base examining the value of including people with lived and living experience (PWLLE) as part of recovery science research teams. While many efforts describe how to include PWLLE in research, there is limited comparative evidence demonstrating why, when, and how much inclusion improves research quality and real-world impact while supporting career development of PWLLE. RRISE convenes to close that evidence gap and translate what we learn into practical guidance.

Vision

A future where research demonstrates and leverages the impact of including people with lived and living experience in recovery science.

Mission

RRISE brings together individuals with lived or living experience of substance use issues (and related experiences such as the criminal legal system and child welfare) to generate rigorous, comparable evidence on the impact of PWLLE inclusion in recovery science research teams. Our work supports the development of actionable guidance for research teams, funders, and IRBs—advancing recovery science grounded in equity, inclusion, authenticity, and measurable impact.

What we do

RRISE is a discussion- and collaboration-oriented workgroup that:

  • Aligns members around priority questions about the impact of PWLLE inclusion on research.

  • Develops and coordinates evidence-generating work.

  • Shares updates, resources, and opportunities for collaboration across CoARS projects and beyond.

  • Works toward practical products that help the field move from “recommended practice” to evidence-informed practice.

Current Activities (2025–2026)

1) Qualitative Study: Perspectives on “Value Added”

Lead: Patrick Hibbard
Status: Protocol under development
Purpose: Interview research PIs/leaders and PWLLE to understand perceived “value added” of including PWLLE in the research enterprise, including mechanisms (e.g., relevance, trust, feasibility, recruitment/retention, interpretation) and conditions that shape impact.
Planned outputs: Thematic findings, hypotheses for future empirical testing, and recommendations for research teams.

2) Narrative Study: Evidence on PWLLE Impact

Lead: Martha Tillson
Purpose: A narrative review scanning the literature on how PWLLE influence research processes and outcomes.
Initial scope: Lived experience related to substance use disorder, with potential extension to other lived experiences to identify transferable guidance.
Planned outputs: Evidence summary, gap analysis, and implications for future study designs.

3) PWLLE Commentaries

Lead: Bridget Hayes, Emily Pasman, & Meghann Perry
Purpose: Publishing commentaries relevant to inclusion of PWLLE in research, informed by RRISE members’ professional and experiential expertise, to provide guidance to the field.
Planned outputs: At least two commentaries are currently in draft development: 1) Choosing appropriate and affirming language related to substance use in research settings; and 2) Operationalizing lived and living experience in substance use research.

Workgroup Membership

The RRISE workgroup has a robust and active membership of individuals representing various research roles and career stages; however, individual names are not publicly provided to protect the confidentiality of individuals' lived and living experiences.

RRISE currently is co-led by: