Two thirds of the research staff in our Centre are female, a significantly higher proportion than is represented at Loughborough University (38%) and at other universities across the UK (49%). With the gender bias in medical research persisting, it is vital that we develop female researchers to help address the gap that still remains from centuries of research prioritising men’s health over women’s. By doing this, we can push for equitable health care for current and future generations of the public, both in the UK and across the world.
Counting our doctoral researchers, there are currently 10 nationalities represented within CLiMB, with researchers from the UK, Europe, North America, Africa and Asia, including individuals from minority ethnic backgrounds and those whose parents did not attend university. With our focus on global health, the lived experiences of our team help to shape research that works with communities around the world, rather than imposing solutions that are unlikely to work for these global populations.
Twice a year, the CLiMB team come together for a discussion meeting focused specifically on an EDI topic chosen by the team. These meetings create a safe space for the team to learn and ask questions to help develop their understanding of the subject, share their experiences and learn strategies to engage in more inclusive research. We also invite individuals from communities, specialists and the University’s central EDI team to provide real world knowledge and lived experience which helps to ensure our research is inclusive and considers the needs of everyone our research touches.
Previous sessions have explored LGBT+ identities, travelling communities, anti-discriminatory practice, power dynamics and cultural awareness. These sessions help us to learn more about the particular health needs and barriers that different populations experience, ensuring that we are as inclusive as possible across all stages of the research and implementation processes. This includes when we conduct Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement and recruit participants to research studies, ensuring that interventions, and the dissemination of research findings, are inclusive.
We also have a dedicated book swap for the team where books and other resources can be shared between the team, encouraging continuous discussion and learning about EDI topics and knowledge exchange. As we further develop as a health research centre we will continue to look for new ways to ensure that our work is inclusive as possible.
Professor of Behavioural Medicine and Centre Director