Effective knowledge translation processes are critical for the development of evidence-based public health policy and practice. This paper reports on the design and implementation of an innovative approach to knowledge translation within a mixed methods study on lay involvement in public health programme delivery. The study design drew on scientific and experiential knowledge, and included iterative feedback loops to ensure that lay and professional perspectives shaped the research process and dissemination outputs. The paper concludes by discussing the application of this approach as a means to close the knowledge-practice gap in public health.