Danielle Marie Agnello: Advancing co-creation in public and global health

Tell us about your research

In a sentence: Co-creation is not a verb; it is a scientific methodology.

My research focuses on co-creation in public health, not just as a way to involve communities but as a systems approach for tackling complex and wicked problems. Co-creation is about bringing together diverse stakeholders, such as researchers, policymakers, practitioners, and communities, to collectively design better solutions. It’s a structured, yet flexible, methodology that combines participatory and mixed methods, and systems thinking, to capture the essence of complex problems and tap into collective knowledge and experiences across different levels of a system to co-create solutions.

I was drawn to the field of co-creation because too many health interventions are designed in silos.

When we don’t account for the bigger system at play, even the best-intended solutions can fall short. Co-creation helps break down these silos, ensuring that solutions are evidence-based, practical, and sustainable. My work focuses on developing better frameworks, compiling and analyzing methods, and creating tools that help researchers and practitioners apply co-creation effectively.

Why is this research important?

Many of today’s biggest health challenges, whether mosquito-borne diseases, non-communicable diseases, or strengthening health systems, are too complex to be solved by any single actor.

Traditional top-down approaches often fail because they overlook the interconnectedness of people, policies, and institutions. Co-creation acknowledges and embraces this complexity, offering a way to develop more holistic, inclusive, and sustainable solutions. However, despite its potential, co-creation is often misunderstood and inconsistently applied.

My research helps address this by providing structured ways to classify and evaluate co-creation methods, enabling researchers and practitioners to select the best approaches for their needs. Additionally, I develop evidence-based tools to support the design and implementation of co-creation, making it easier for people to apply these methods in practice. Furthermore, I create open-access frameworks and datasets, ensuring that knowledge about co-creation is not just theoretical but also actionable and accessible to all. Lastly, I offer evidence-based guidance on how to effectively evaluate a co-creation workshop or the overall process.

Ultimately, integrating co-creation into global health research and practice can lead to interventions that are more adaptive, resilient, and impactful, improving outcomes across different health systems.

What excites you about your work?

I love how co-creation challenges traditional ways of thinking. Instead of trying to force a one-size-fits-all solution, it encourages us to embrace complexity, listen to different perspectives, and design smarter, more adaptive interventions. The interdisciplinary nature of my work is also exciting, every project brings together researchers, policymakers, health professionals, and communities, making it a dynamic and ever-evolving field.

Another thing that excites me is the global reach and impact of my work. Through my research, I’ve connected with professionals from across the world, whether it's collaborating with other amazing researchers, mentoring young researchers, or working directly with communities.

For instance, my online Co-creation Methods Selector tool, which has been used by 60 different co-creation projects in 19 countries, is a tangible example of how digital tools can support real-world decision-making in global health. 

Lastly, I’m excited about the increasing interest and excitement about co-creation. There's so much room for innovation in this space!

Where do you see yourself in 10 years

In 10 years, I hope to have established a WHO Collaborating Centre for Co-Creation, transforming it into a global hub for research, training, and implementation support. I aim to lead the creation of global standards and guidelines for co-creation, ensuring its effective and ethical use in public health. Additionally, I aspire to publish a book on co-creation, making this knowledge accessible beyond academia. Lastly, I hope to be an integral part of the global movement away from the traditional "I know best" approach to a more collaborative "Let's fix it together" mindset.

More broadly, I hope co-creation will be better recognized as a robust scientific methodology. I want to see co-creation properly embedded in policy and funding structures so that participatory approaches become the norm rather than the exception in global health research and implementation.

What advice do you have for junior researchers in global health?

My biggest piece of advice is to stay open to unconventional paths. Don’t feel confined by traditional structures or solely focus on one health topic. Some of the most impactful work happens at the intersection of disciplines, so explore widely and collaborate intentionally. Also, making your research as open and accessible as possible, and sharing your data, tools, and insights means your work can have a much bigger impact beyond just publications.

That said, be mindful of who you collaborate with. Not everyone has the same vision or ethical approach, so choose partners who align with your values. Navigating institutions can be frustrating, especially when trying to push innovative ideas forward, but learning how to advocate for your work and protect your intellectual property is just as important as the research itself.

Finally, don’t burn yourself out. Global health is demanding, and it’s easy to feel like you must give 110% all the time. Taking breaks, setting boundaries, and protecting your well-being isn’t a luxury, it’s essential if you want to sustain your passion and make a long-term impact.

What is your favourite source of global health inspiration and knowledge?

I am inspired by many things.

What truly inspires me is seeing how people dedicate their time, energy, and expertise to support and uplift others. Whether it’s researchers, practitioners, or community members, the willingness to contribute, often without recognition or reward, is a powerful reminder of the collective good that we should all strive for.

My experiences in different organizations have also played a big role in shaping my perspective. I started my global health career at the World Health Organization, and I’ve always been inspired by its mission to ensure that everyone has access to the highest level of health and well-being. Now more than ever, I hope we don’t lose that vision and collective commitment to a safe and healthier future.

Another organization that means a lot to me is Global Health Mentorships (GHMe), the non-profit I restructured and led for several years. Working with GHMe is an amazing experience because of the mentors, mentees, and dedicated team members who believe in supporting the next generation of global health leaders. It connected me with passionate professionals from all over the world, and it reinforced the power of mentorship in shaping careers and encouraging young professionals to join a challenging, but rewarding, career in global health.

When things get tough, I remind myself of one of my favorite quotes by Abraham Lincoln: "The struggle ought not to deter us from the support of a cause we believe to be just." Public health challenges are complex, and there are no easy solutions, but that doesn’t mean we give up. If anything, the struggle itself is a sign that we’re working on something that truly matters.