Toolkit published to improve inclusivity of research
A new resource which helps researchers recognise diverse communities when pre-planning their experiments was made available in December 2021.
Entitled ‘The Equality Impact Assessment (EqIA) Toolkit’, the blueprint will guarantee that all societal groups will receive fair representation and inclusion in every aspect of research.
Developed by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Applied Research Collaboration (ARC) East Midlands last year, the toolkit will assist academics to remove discrimination from the entire process of health research.
The new toolkit contains a broad set of inclusivity instructions and documents signposting to additional resources. Additionally, constant guidance is available for those accessing the toolkit.
Professor Kamlesh Khunti is Director of NIHR ARC East Midlands, and the Centre for Ethnic Health Research said: “Assessments of this kind have been part of public sector organisational development, service and practice for many years. However, it’s specific use in relation to health research is new.”
“The toolkit is designed to be both an assessment of why we undertake an EqIA as well as a step-by-step guide through the process.”
He added: “It also introduces the material that we use, the questions that we ask of researchers and the sources of information that are an essential part of the investigation and consultation components of an EqIA.”
Professor Azhar Farooqi, a Clinical Director at the Centre for Ethnic Health Research, said: “Inclusivity in research is vital in ensuring that health services develop in a way that are appropriate for all our communities, and help to reduce health inequalities. This toolkit will make an important contribution to achieving this aim.”