Embedding equity in research integrity
Embedding equity in research integrity
Wednesday 05 February 2025 10-11AM BST
In this webinar, speakers explored strategies for advancing Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) in research, and examined the impact that equitable and inclusive research funding, practices, and design have on research integrity, quality, and outcomes.
‘What makes an equitable research culture? Centring an ethics of care for post-graduate researchers
Dr Maisha Islam
In this presentation, Dr. Islam discussed how issues of equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) in research culture are critical to fostering trust and confidence in the research process. She explored how creating an equitable and inclusive research environment, particularly for postgraduate research (PGR) and doctoral students, can lead to more innovative and collaborative research. Dr. Islam shared practices from the University of Southampton’s Doctoral College aimed at addressing inequities at the PGR level and emphasized the importance of incorporating social justice and liberatory methodologies into these efforts.
Attendees learned about:
- Systemic inequalities manifesting at the postgraduate research (PGR) level.
- EDI initiatives and practice from the University of Southampton’s Doctoral College to support PGR
students and research culture (transferable to other university contexts). - The importance of social justice, liberatory and student engagement methodologies when
undertaking equity-related work.
🎥You can view a recording of this presentation here.
📄You can access a PDF version of this presentation here.
About Dr Maisha Islam: Dr. Maisha Islam is the Doctoral College Research Culture Lead for Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion at the University of Southampton. Her research focuses on the experiences of racially minoritised students and Muslim students’ sense of belonging in Higher Education. Maisha is dedicated to promoting race and religious equity, having studied these issues at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. She has contributed to Universities UK staff panels on tackling racial harassment and Islamophobia and served on the Office for Students’ Student Panel (2020–22). Maisha also co-chairs a Steering Group for a Research England/Office for Students funded programme aimed at improving access for racially minoritised students in postgraduate research.
Designing and conducting inclusive research
Dr Rebecca Barnes and Dr Chris Newby
In this presentation, Dr Barnes and Dr Newby discuss the importance of conducting inclusive research that benefits all, particularly those who have historically been underserved or excluded. They demonstrate how inclusion can be embedded at every stage of the research lifecycle—from conception to dissemination, implementation, and impact.
Attendees learned:
- Why research needs to be designed and conducted inclusively, and the implications of failing to do so.
- Key steps that researchers can take to embed inclusion in the design and conduct of their research.
- Signposting to resources that support researchers to design and conduct inclusive research.
🎥You can view a recording of this presentation here.
📄You can access a PDF version of this presentation here.
About Dr Rebecca Barnes: Dr Rebecca Barnes is Senior Qualitative Methods Advisor and Researcher at the NIHR Research Support Service Hub, University of Leicester. She supports health and social care researchers in developing funding applications and leads the EDI workstream for the NIHR RSS National Collaborative. Rebecca recently authored the NIHR RSS’ first Research Inclusion Strategy. A sociologist and criminologist, her research focuses on domestic abuse and health inequalities, particularly among LGBTQ+ people. She co-authored the widely-accessed RDS EDI Toolkit with Dr Chris Newby. Dr Chris Newby is a Senior Statistician and Quantitative Advisor at the Research Support Service, Leicester Hub and Partners. His research interests include respiratory disease, mental health, and equality, diversity, and inclusion.
About Dr Chris Newby: Dr Chris Newby is a Senior Statistician and Quantitative Advisor at the Research Support Service, Leicester Hub and Partners. His research interests include respiratory disease, mental health, and equality, diversity, and inclusion.
About UKRIO’s public webinar series:
UKRIO hosts multiple free, public webinars throughout the year where experts explore emerging challenges in research integrity and share practical advice. These events are great opportunities for researchers, students, administrators, and other research stakeholders to stay informed on developing topics in research integrity and learn new skills to improve their work.
You can register for upcoming UKRIO public webinars here.
You can view content from past webinars and other public UKRIO events here.