{"id":1939,"date":"2026-10-02T11:15:08","date_gmt":"2026-10-02T10:15:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.manchester.ac.uk\/mui\/?p=1939"},"modified":"2026-10-02T11:15:08","modified_gmt":"2026-10-02T10:15:08","slug":"from-inclusion-as-an-aspiration-to-inclusion-in-action-lessons-from-developing-a-system-level-research-strategy-anna-coleman-joanne-elliott-and-arpana-verma","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.manchester.ac.uk\/mui\/2026\/10\/02\/from-inclusion-as-an-aspiration-to-inclusion-in-action-lessons-from-developing-a-system-level-research-strategy-anna-coleman-joanne-elliott-and-arpana-verma\/","title":{"rendered":"From Inclusion as an Aspiration to Inclusion in Action: Lessons from developing a System-Level Research Strategy | Anna Coleman, Joanne Elliott and Arpana Verma"},"content":{"rendered":"

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There is general agreement that health research should be inclusive but who is actually making it happen, and how? Anna Coleman, Joanne Elliott<\/strong> and Arpana Verma<\/strong>, members of the MUI Health and Wellbeing Research Challenge area, share learning from building a co-produced Inclusive Research Strategy across the Manchester Biomedical Research Centre and Clinical Research Facility. They set out practical lessons for turning inclusion from a good intention into everyday practice.<\/h5>\n

Health research has long recognised the importance of inclusion, yet delivering genuinely inclusive research in practice remains a challenge. Despite strong policy direction, many studies continue to under-represent key populations, limiting the relevance and impact of findings. The question is no longer why<\/em> inclusive research matters, but how<\/em> it can be embedded within complex systems.<\/p>\n

Our work at the Manchester Biomedical Research Centre (BRC)<\/a> and Clinical Research Facility (CRF) offers one response: a co-produced, system-level Inclusive Research (IR) Strategy designed to move inclusion from aspiration to operational reality.<\/p>\n

Rather than treating inclusion as an add-on, the strategy integrates it across the research lifecycle. It is structured around five core principles: mapping inequalities, building capacity, developing community partnerships, strengthening delivery routes, and embedding inclusive methods. These principles reflect a shift from isolated initiatives to a coordinated, strategic approach.<\/p>\n

\"\"A defining feature of the strategy is its co-production. Development involved workshops, one-to-one consultations, and engagement with a wide range of stakeholders, including public contributors, researchers and practitioners. This was not simply about consultation, but about shaping priorities and practices collaboratively. The process was underpinned by systematic thematic analysis of ideas raised, ensuring that the strategy was grounded in both evidence and lived experience.<\/p>\n

Equally important is the governance model. The establishment of an Inclusive Research Oversight Board (IROB) provides a mechanism for accountability, coordination, and ongoing learning. In large, multi-partner research environments, such structures are essential to ensure that inclusion is consistently implemented rather than unevenly applied.<\/p>\n

For system leaders and policy makers, this work highlights that inclusive research is achievable at scale, but only with the right conditions in place. Alignment across existing frameworks (such as equality, diversity and inclusion, and patient and public involvement) helps avoid duplication and confusion. Investment in capacity and capability is also critical, as inclusive approaches require time, skills, and sustained effort.<\/p>\n

At the same time, our work underscores the challenges. Evidence of long-term impact is still emerging, and implementation depends on resources, leadership buy-in, and organisational culture. Measuring inclusivity in meaningful ways remains difficult, particularly in complex systems where outcomes are influenced by multiple factors.<\/p>\n

Key recommendations<\/strong><\/h5>\n

To embed inclusive research more effectively across complex systems, we propose the following priorities:<\/p>\n