/ Blog / Inclusion in the research industry: where are we really?

May 27, 2024

Accessibility remains a major challenge in research, whether it concerns survey design, data collection methodologies, or participant engagement. Christine Hemphill, director of our partner Open Inclusion, emphasizes that too many barriers still prevent certain populations from participating in studies. She emphasizes the need to adapt tools and platforms to the needs of each individual:

"We need to do better. We need to create tools, mindsets, and skills to make research more inclusive and accessible."

One key point is adaptability: rather than imposing rigid formats, researchers must listen to participants and adapt to their specific needs.

Academic or institutional knowledge often dominates the research sector, to the detriment of local and experiential knowledge. Kenny Imafidon, co-founder of ClearView Research, points out that community-based research is often underestimated:

"Knowledge doesn't begin or end with us. The people who live these realities every day are the true experts."

Including this knowledge in studies not only produces more accurate results, but also gives a voice to the people involved. This approach is consistent with the notion of inclusive design, where users are co-creators of solutions.

Inclusion is a significant challenge that can seem overwhelming for many organizations. Christine Hemphill warns against inaction for fear of doing something wrong:

"Stay curious, continue to co-create, and make sure you don't inadvertently exclude people."

Risham Nadeem, Director at C Space, adds that we shouldn't aim for absolute perfection, but rather take gradual steps:

"Doing something is better than doing nothing while waiting for a perfect model."

While issues of gender, disability, and ethnicity are increasingly being addressed, social class remains a blind spot in the research industry. The Social Equity Group highlights an unconscious bias toward working-class populations.

One of the concerns raised is the disparity in financial incentives:

"Participants from higher socio-professional categories are better paid for qualitative studies than those from working-class backgrounds. Why should their opinions be more important?"

The group is currently conducting a study to redefine the notion of social class in research and propose more equitable practices.

Finally, Mark Thorpe, Director at Truth Consulting, warns of stagnation, or even a setback, in progress towards inclusion in the sector:

"We have forgotten some of the lessons learned in recent years. None of us can truly be free until everyone is."

He urges companies to actively engage by signing inclusion charters and holding their managers truly accountable for the actions taken.

This article highlights persistent challenges, but also concrete solutions to make research more inclusive. As stakeholders in this sector, we have a responsibility to question our practices and innovate for more representative and accessible research.

The key? Listen, learn, and adapt. Inclusion is not an end in itself, but an ongoing process that requires commitment and constant questioning.

Do you want to make your studies more inclusive, broaden your sample size, or improve the accessibility of your research? We support organizations in implementing inclusive and accessible methodologies, adapted to all audiences.

Contact us today for an audit, support, or reinforcement for your research projects. Together, let's advance inclusion in the research industry!

Where is the research industry still falling short on inclusion? 

May 21, 2024. Research Live.