results and closing a file. Action research invites everyone involved in the research to constantly reflect on the methodology and the envisioned goals of the project. Similarly, the so-called open innovation in science (OIS) methods could offer a good framework on the existing participatory approaches to involve impacted persons in the research process as well as on their benefits.85 Opening up research processes does not serve an end in itself. Rather, it aims at shifting the power and ownership towards the impacted persons by having them actively involved in research decision-making as equal collaboration partners instead of passively receiving information about research projects. On the one hand, this contributes to the empowerment of those affected by research as well as the democratisation of knowledge. On the other hand, it leads to better quality in research and an increased societal relevance of research (e.g., novel insights, more efficient processes, higher impact, directing research towards societal relevant topics, closing the gap between science and society, better understanding of and insights into gaps and priorities in the research are).86 EXAMPLE According to the OIS methods, the impacted persons can be involved at different steps of the research process here are three levels of activities: · ENGAGEMENT: Information and knowledge about research is provided and disseminated (e.g., dissemination of research to the public (via media, social media), raising awareness of research through media, science festivals and open days at universities and research centres.) · PARTICIPATION: Impacted persons take part in research studies (e.g., being recruited in clinical trials, completing questionnaires, participation in interviews and focus groups) · INVOLVEMENT: Impacted persons and, when not possible, their closest representatives (e.g. former detainees, relatives of detainees) are actively involved in research (e.g., as grant holders and co-applicants, through identifying research opportunities, agenda setting, members of project advisory and steering groups, co-developing information or materials, undertaking interviews with researchers, and carrying out research).87 This project did not adopt the mentioned methods but involved experts from various fields, such as medicine, psychology, linguistics, and history, which led to multidisciplinary knowledge creation.88 These elements of action were a strength of the project because they led to honest exchange on realities in the field. Many participants were inspired by the multidisciplinary input and said they wanted to try to implement some ideas in their national detention procedures. Moreover, the project was based on the results of the comprehensive research project ‘Inside Police Custody 2’ that involved innovative research methods such as observational research and focus group discussions. For an overview of effective methods to conduct research in the area of procedural rights it is worth consulting the national and comparative project reports.89 85. Open Innovation in Science (OIS) itself is defined as a process of purposively enabling, initiating and implementing inbound, outbound or coupled knowledge flows and (inter/transdisciplinary) collaborations along one or more stages of the scientific research process. See Susanne Beck and others, ‘The Open Innovation in Science Research Field: A Collaborative Conceptualisation Approach’ (2022) 29(2) Industry and Innovation 139. 86. Raphaela Kaisler and Benjamin Missback, ‘Co-Creating a Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement ‘How to’ Guide for Researchers’ (2020) 6 Research Involvement and Engagement 6 as well as the useful additional resources here ‘OIS Resources: Explore the Resources Developed or Suggested by the OIS Center’ (Ludwig Boltzmann Institute Open Innovation in Science Center) <https://ois.lbg.ac.at/ois-resources> 87. Kaisler and Missback, ‘Co-Creating a Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement’ (2020) 3. 88. Bhat, ‘Action Research in Law’ (2020) 535. 89. See Lloyd-Cape, ‘Inside Police Custody 2’ (2018); Zach, Katona, and Birk, ‘Inside Police Custody 2: Country Report’ (2018) and other national reports of the project. 35