In April 2025, the Health and Social Care Research and Development Division (HSC R&D) in Northern Ireland (NI) hosted a webinar event supported by Centre for Research Equity (CfRE). This insightful and informative webinar showcased how Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) has been considered in a range of research studies implemented across NI, with researchers providing detail regarding various protected characteristics.
The event follows the 2024 research equity manifesto launch, which set out shared commitments to tackling inequality in research across NI. Approximately, 100 people were in attendance, including researchers, healthcare professionals, community advocates, and public contributors.
Dr Claire Cleland, Senior R&D Programme Manager said:
“HSC R&D Division were delighted to host this webinar, as it provided us with the opportunity to showcase vital research which has been implemented in Northern Ireland. Each of the studies put equality, diversity and inclusion at the core of their work, by considering and integrating it across the research lifecycle, and striving to strengthen research equity in Northern Ireland and beyond.”
Below are highlights from the EDI event which links to a Shared Commitment manifesto pledge.
Recognising strengths and shifting focus
Professor Nigel Hart opened the event by encouraging a shift in focus – from the challenges of research in NI to the many strengths already in place. Including (but not limited to): NI Clinical Trials Unit; NI Clinical Research Network; NI Public Health Research Network; Public Involvement Enhancing Research; and Encompass, the new integrated electronic healthcare record system.
He also emphasised the value of primary care as a key route into inclusive research, due to its close links with communities and cultural insight; and shared an example of Deep End Ireland, which brings together GP practices in deprived areas to support community-led research.
Linked pledge: Advance the understanding of inclusive research practice and community engagement in NI
Tackling unmet needs in underserved communities
Dr Rebecca Orr, drew attention to the health needs of rural agricultural communities, through her study ‘A mixed methods study of the factors influencing health behaviours amongst farmers at risk of cardiometabolic disease’. Local farmers helped shape research questions, methods and outcomes, leading to meaningful and useful findings.
Dr Aideen Maguire shared how secondary data (e.g., education, census, and health and social care data) can be used to uncover areas underserved by research. This data provides opportunities to access rich societal information, detect small effects
with larger impacts and to gain insights without the need to collect new data – offering an efficient and powerful research tool.
Both presentations sparked important discussions about where gaps exist, and, importantly, how they can be closed.
Linked pledge: Build on the evidence base around the determinants of health inequalities, propose methods and research designs to improve outcomes for the population of Northern Ireland
New ideas for inclusion
Innovative approaches to making research more inclusive were also in the spotlight.
Professor Gerard Leavey shared learning from the Challenging Health Outcomes/Integrating Care Environment project, which worked with people with severe mental illness to co-design research, using creative approaches such as art and storytelling to support involvement and share results.
Dr Niamh O’Kane discussed how research can be communicated in more accessible and inclusive ways, providing examples from the Inclusive Beaches Programme. She shared advice and guidance relating to the use of plain language, subtitles, alternative text for images, and clear visual design. As she put it, “Science is not finished until it is communicated [to everyone].”
Linked pledge: Promote inclusive participation methods and accessible trials to ensure everyone has equal opportunity to take part and benefit from research
Putting people at the centre
A strong theme throughout the event was the value of Personal and Public Involvement (PPI) in research.
Ruth Boyd from the Northern Ireland Cancer Trials Network shared how the Cancer Research Forum aims to ensure patient and carer voices shape research to be more inclusive and person-centred. She outlined how the Forum’s PPI members are actively identifying gaps in research access, challenging inequalities and co-designing more accessible research approaches.
This was followed by a powerful reflection from Laura Collins a full-time carer and member of the Public Involvement Enhancing Research (PIER) group. PIER includes members of the public, who have personal experience of health conditions and/or services, and who work to improve health and social care research across NI, by including their voices in the research process from the outset and throughout.
Linked pledge: Support inclusive engagement, involvement, and participation in research through a breadth of activities across Northern Ireland.
Building partnerships for lasting change
Professor Mahendra Patel provided an update on the growing partnership between HSC R&D, CfRE and other partners. He welcomed the shared commitment to making research fairer and more relevant to all communities; and stressed that inclusive research must become the norm supported by training, infrastructure and shared learning.
“With our shared vision and the research equity manifesto, we’re positioning Northern Ireland as a hub for equitable, community-driven health and care research”.
Linked pledge: Raise public awareness and develop resources and capacity within communities for dialogue in research priorities and delivery.
Looking ahead
Closing the session, Professor Ian Young reminded everyone that equity in research is a journey, not a destination. He said: .
"The partnership is committed to support research and training to enhance research equity and grow the partnership. To inform future work on EDI, partners are encouraged to outline specific priorities and areas of need.
HSC R&D Division supported by the CfRE looks forward to continuing this work with our diverse partners, and building a research culture where everyone can be seen, heard and represented."
Linked pledge: Ensure health and social care research is inclusive and representative of Northern Ireland's population, delivering relevant and applicable outcomes.
Linked pledge: Raise public awareness and develop resources and capacity within communities for dialogue in research priorities and delivery
For more information on HSC R&D please visit: https://research.hscni.net/
To view the EDI Webinar, please visit: