Event: Conducting Inclusive Research and Recruitment

The Centre for Equality Research in Brain Sciences recently hosted a day-long hybrid event focusing on the crucial topic of inclusive research and participant recruitment. This event brought together a diverse range of speakers, including researchers, community leaders, and UCL Ethics representatives, to share insights on how to effectively engage underrepresented groups in research, ensuring that studies include the populations they aim to serve.

The event kicked off with Natalie Marchant, Chair Research Culture Community Steering Group and ERB Centre’s Research Interest Group Co-lead. welcoming participants, followed by an opening address from Emma Todd, the Director of Research Culture. Both emphasised the importance of fostering an inclusive research environment that values diversity at every stage, from study design to participant engagement. 

The first session, titled “How to Set up Your Study to be Inclusive,” was chaired by Carolyn McGettigan, LGBTQ+ Equity Lead for EDI at the Faculty of Brain Sciences (FBS). Speakers Talia Isaacs and Rachel Knowles discussed strategies for designing research that considers the needs of historically underrepresented groups. They covered practical tips for inclusive recruitment, how to minimize barriers to participation, and the significance of embedding diversity in the research process from the start. 

Following this, UCL Ethics representatives led a Q&A session, where they addressed ethical considerations in inclusive research, giving participants an opportunity to ask specific questions about conducting research with diverse populations. 

The highlight of the morning was a keynote speech by Dr. Keerti Gedela, a Consultant Physician and global health researcher, who spoke about health equity and the need for research to prioritize underserved communities. Her talk highlighted the intersection of clinical, social, and cultural factors in health research, urging attendees to consider how their studies could be more inclusive and impactful across diverse settings. 

Participant Inclusion Flash Talks, chaired by Courtenay Norbury, Vice Dean for Research at FBS. Researchers Roxanne Crosby-Nwaobi, Charlie Beeson, Dwaynica Greaves, and Shayma Izzidien shared their experiences working with various communities to ensure inclusivity in their studies. Their talks highlighted both the challenges and the innovative strategies they’ve employed to recruit and retain participants from historically underrepresented groups, whether in clinical trials, social care research, or mental health studies. 

The following session, titled “Community Engaged Research,” was chaired by Indy Sira, Director of Voices of Colour. Lizzie Stimson, Awale Elmi, and Sonja Scantlebury-Camara discussed the importance of community partnerships in research. They shared real-world examples of how working closely with communities can not only improve the recruitment of participants but also make research more relevant and impactful for those communities. Co-producing research and ensuring that the voices of underrepresented groups are heard throughout the process was a key topic during this panel discussion.

The final session, “Working with Different Communities,” was chaired by Hugo Spiers, Vice Dean for Innovation & Enterprise at FBS. Speakers Pablo Fernandez Velasco, Maria Ahmad, and Kirsty Wallis offered their perspectives on the intersection of interdisciplinary research and community engagement. They discussed how collaboration between researchers, communities, and organisations can lead to more inclusive, meaningful research outcomes. Their talks focused on the importance of cultural sensitivity, ethical considerations, and the role of research in addressing systemic inequalities. 

The event concluded with closing remarks from Katerina Fotopoulou, Director of the ERB Centre, who reflected on the talks and discussions by reiterating the importance of embedding inclusivity in all aspects of research. She highlighted how the day’s conversations have reinforced the collective responsibility to make research accessible and meaningful for everyone. 

Well done to Natalie Marchant, Hugo Spiers and Maryam Gurwara for organising such an incredible and engaging event!