Reflections on Inclusion: Thoughts from our last Community of Practice

November 2024

Blue square with the word ‘inclusion’ in it

Our Communities of Practice (CoP) are regular sessions for network members to develop peer support and share learning around key themes of community-led research. Our latest CoP took place on 29 October 2024, where we explored what the word ‘Inclusion’ means from different perspectives through a Living Glossary exercise. Several key remarks and reflections emerged from the session that are worth recapping.

Key ideas: 

  • We need diverse and integrated forms of knowledge to make sense of the world

  • Everyone’s expertise matters

  • Research is never ‘neutral’ – there are always underlying values and ethical & political tensions to navigate

  • We are better working together and sharing resources to effect structural change

  • Researchers are not separate from communities

And what does this mean in practice? 

  • An ethics of care and reflective practice embedded into our working; 

  • Continuous feedback mechanisms including our member’s survey; 

  • Embedding different engagement styles into meetings and providing information about what to expect. Asking to understand access needs;

  • Introducing “Information Sessions” to welcome new groups and go over questions and background of the network;

  • Intentional and strategic use of bursaries to enable access for the Gathering and prioritising under heard voices;

  • Developing inclusive safeguarding protocols around holding space to balance different needs.

Lewis Hou