Bridging Expertise: Co-Facilitation of Focus Groups by Peer Specialists With Lived Experience and Academic Investigators

Background Integrating peer specialists—individuals with direct lived experience of mental health challenges and navigating recovery —into the facilitation of qualitative research addresses growing calls for more inclusive and community-engaged methodologies. While peers have traditionally contributed to participant recruitment and retention, their involvement in qualitative data collection, particularly as co-facilitators of focus groups, remains under-documented. Methods This manuscript presents two in-depth case studies where focus groups were co-facilitated by academic researchers and peers: (1) a study of best practices in training veterans as peer supporters for psychedelic-assisted therapy, and (2) a study exploring mental health and well-being among peer support specialists working with individuals who use drugs. Reflections from both peer and investigator co-facilitators are integrated to illuminate the practical dynamics and perceived value of this model. Results Co-facilitation supported complementary moderator roles—Conductor and Harmonizer—by integrating structured academic oversight with peers’ rapport-building skills and experiential knowledge. This configuration deepened participant engagement, supported trauma-informed group processes, and contributed to rich qualitative data. At the same time, challenges around role negotiation, information flow, and hierarchical dynamics underscored the need for ongoing communication and reflexive debriefing. The analysis also attends to how peer and academic facilitators’ positionalities shaped group dynamics and the meanings participants attached to their contributions. Notably, both peers and academic investigators perceived improvements in group rapport and the authenticity of participants’ narratives. Conclusions Co-facilitation of focus groups by academic researchers and peers with lived experience holds significant promise for enriching qualitative inquiry. This model supports participant-centered research, and thoughtful planning around moderator roles and power-sharing is essential to maximize benefits.