Making research more inclusive
At ARC South West, we are committed to making research more inclusive, equitable and relevant to the diverse communities we serve.
Health and care inequalities affect people in different ways, often shaped by factors such as ethnicity, disability, socioeconomic circumstances, geography, age, gender and other aspects of identity. We believe that research has an important role to play in understanding and addressing these inequalities.
Research Inclusion is about ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to contribute to, participate in and benefit from research. By embedding inclusion throughout our work, we aim to generate evidence that reflects the experiences and needs of all communities, particularly those who have historically been underserved or underrepresented in research.
Our Research Inclusion Strategy
Our Research Inclusion Strategy focuses on five key areas for action:
Research culture and workforce
We are committed to promoting researcher inclusion and creating equitable opportunities within ARC South West.
This includes:
- Providing structured mentorship and clear career development pathways
- Delivering inclusion and equity training for staff
- Embedding inclusion and equity within ARC governance and leadership
- Supporting a diverse and inclusive research culture
Research lifecycle
We aim to embed inclusion throughout the research lifecycle, from identifying priorities to sharing findings.
This includes:
- Developing outreach programmes to engage diverse communities
- Enhancing opportunities for participation in research
- Incorporating Equality Impact Assessments (EqIAs) into research projects
- Supporting Research Inclusion leads across our research themes
Innovate and collaborate
Addressing health inequalities requires new approaches and strong partnerships.
We will:
- Expand the use of data to better understand inequalities
- Build partnerships with community and neighbourhood organisations
- Encourage innovation in research design and delivery
- Work collaboratively across sectors to address complex systems of disadvantage
Achieving impact
We are committed to delivering meaningful and sustainable change through continuous learning and improvement.
This includes:
- Tracking measurable changes and outcomes
- Sharing learning through case studies and examples of good practice
- Learning from both successes and challenges
- Working with regional and national partners to maximise impact
Resources
We recognise that improving inclusion is an ongoing process. The following resources may be useful for researchers, practitioners and organisations looking to strengthen inclusive research practices:
Equality Impact Assessment (EqIA) Toolkit
Developed by ARC East Midlands, this toolkit supports researchers to consider the potential impacts of their work on different groups and communities and to identify opportunities to improve equity and inclusion.
RSS Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Toolkit
The RSS EDI Toolkit provides practical guidance, resources and tools to help embed equality, diversity and inclusion throughout research activities and organisations.
Research Inclusion Advisory Group
Research Inclusion is a shared responsibility across ARC South West. Alongside the work being led by our staff and researchers, we are also establishing a Research Inclusion Advisory Group to bring together people with lived experience, professional expertise and system knowledge to help guide and strengthen our approach.
Find out morePeople Involved
Research Inclusion is supported through dedicated leadership, governance and expertise across ARC South West.
Oversight is provided through our Research Inclusion Advisory Group (RIAG), which reports to the ARC South West Management Board and helps ensure accountability, learning and continuous improvement.
Get involved
Research Inclusion is everyone’s responsibility. Whether you are a researcher, healthcare professional, policymaker, community organisation or member of the public, there are opportunities to help shape more inclusive research.
If you would like to learn more about our Research Inclusion work or explore opportunities to collaborate, please get in touch.