Resources

NIHR Research Inclusion Resources  

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Toolkit

The Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Toolkit has been developed to support researchers and research advisers to better understand how to embed equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) in research design and to meet the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Research Inclusion requirements.  

Researchers can contact the Research Support Service to help you develop your funding applications and for advice about equality, diversity and inclusion.  

The Research Inclusion space on NIHR Learn is managed by the NIHR Research Inclusion team. Training and resources included here, unless indicated otherwise, are applicable to everyone working in the NIHR. Content includes guidance on diversity data collection, equality impact assessment (EIA) training, and good practice guides, relating to inclusive language and communications.  

• Research Inclusion Toolkits Hub NIHR Learn 
• NIHR Research Inclusion Guidance for Funding Applicants 
• NIHR Research Inclusion approach and strategic aims 
• How to incorporate Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) in Patient and Public Involvement video 
• Being inclusive in public involvement in health and care research
• Research inclusion as a condition of funding: researchers and research support staff webinar 

Download here 

Equality Impact Assessments  

Equality Impact Assessments (EIAs) are an evidence-based tool to help ensure that key activities are fair and do not present barriers to participation or disadvantage any protected groups. EIAs also identify early opportunities to mitigate negative impacts and advance inclusion.  It helps determine and understand how what we do may affect people differently. The most important outcome of this process is ensuring that groups and individuals who face disadvantage and underrepresentation are visible in priority research settings 

• NIHR ARC East Midland's quality Impact Assessment (EqIA) Toolkit: This toolkit consists of comprehensive training, a directory of useful resources, as well as ongoing advice and guidance on how to complete an EqIA for a research project and examples from research projects, including EqIA for Systematic Reviews.  
• The Health Inequalities Assessment Toolkit (HIAT): The HIAT aims to support people to integrate an intersectional equity lens into research, and consider how people with lived experience and policy or practice expertise can help in this process. 
• Guidance on improving inclusion of under-served groups in research: This guidance summarises what an under-served group is, a roadmap suggesting intervention points to improve inclusion, examples of under-served groups and barriers to inclusion. It then provides a suggested framework of questions to guide the deliberations of funders, researchers and delivery teams as they design and assess health and care research proposals, and ends with examples of good practice and other resources to guide teams seeking to engage with, and improve inclusion of, under-served groups in health and care research.  

Further Support  

• EIA Training: You can register for training on EIAs with NIHR through the Research Inclusion space on NIHR Learn.
• Drop-in sessions for EIA Support: ARC East Midlands offer drop-in sessions for further support with your Equality Impact Assessment. These interactive workshops are aimed at researchers and study teams within NIHR ARCs who require support in carrying out an EqIA. These sessions are designed to cater to your needs.

Diversity Data  

• Diversity Data Report: Collecting and analysing demographic data can help us to understand under representation in the research system and using the data and evidence to set priorities for future work. The NIHR published a Diversity Data Report in 2022 marking an important step in developing an evidence-based approach to reducing inequalities and maximising inclusion. 
• Daisy Guidance on Diversity and Inclusion: For further information, see the DAISY guidance on diversity and inclusion questions. This slide deck contains the NIHR's approved diversity monitoring question and response set. If you are considering collecting diversity monitoring data within NIHR, you are encouraged to consider using this standard question set.  
• Health Inequalities at a Glance in the East of England: This section provides a snapshot of the East of England’s population, highlighting its size, projected growth and ageing demographic. You can download the Health Inequalities at a Glance in the East of England below:

Download here 

NIHR Diversity Data Collection Questions

Find an overview of diversity data questions and options. Download below:

Download here 

Research Inclusion Training  

• Cultural Competence, Increasing Diverse Populations in Research and Effective Community Engagement training are all available from the Centre for Ethnic Health Research. The team have created training programmes to provide information and opportunities for individuals to reflect and review their own understanding and practice in order to confidently respond to the varied needs of your populations.  
• NIHR Learn Research Inclusion: The Research Inclusion space on NIHR Learn includes links to training and relevant resources.  
• NIHR Inclusive Opportunities: Resources and training for public involvement in research including inclusive approaches can be accessed on Learning for Involvement.  

Other Resources  

• Reflections in accessibility and inclusion in Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement: A brief overview of key points about why inclusion in research is important and considerations for inclusion in PPIE. This was developed by Dr Katherine Deane (k.deane@uea.ac.uk). You can read it here. 
• Venue Accessibility Checklist: Useful checklist to assess accessibility of your venue. Created by The Collaborative Research in Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Team and University of East Anglia. You can read it here.