Abstract:
Embedding EDIA in research design and delivery can have in positive impact on the research outcome and society. Enhancing diversity around the decision-making table can mitigate groupthink and conformity issues by raising different perspectives and finding new solutions. Further, through an inclusive approach, the research can respond to increasingly diverse communities and provide support to diverse stakeholders. When the research considers diverse forms of evidence, it can avoid overgeneralization of findings to all populations, biases in research design and selected evidence, and helps ensure that the dissemination of results reaches all individuals, particularly those impacted.

Summary of Conversations

The panel emphasized the importance of integrating equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility (EDIA) into research for enhanced quality and relevance, citing examples such as motor vehicle safety design flaws due to male-centric crash test dummies and COVID inoculation strategies targeting specific racial groups. Funding agencies increasingly apply an EDIA lens to funding decisions, influencing institutional strategy. The discussion highlighted the need to address disciplinary segregation, where underrepresentation in engineering and genomics impacts diversity. Innovation should be framed broadly, considering legal, behavioural, and infrastructure factors, to foster inclusivity and diverse expert involvement. Community engagement should be a built-in aspect of research, with resources allocated to community partners and co-creators.

Take Away Messages/ Current Status of Challenges

• EDIA’s Impact on Research Quality: Lack of EDIA leads to flawed research with real-world consequences, affecting safety, health outcomes, and technological applications.
• Funding Agency Influence: Funding bodies are increasingly prioritizing EDIA, driving institutional changes and research strategies.
• Disciplinary Segregation: Underrepresentation in certain fields limits diversity and skews research focus, reinforcing existing inequalities.
• Narrow Definition of Innovation: Equating innovation solely with technology development excludes diverse perspectives and overlooks broader societal impacts.
• Team Composition vs. Culture: Team diversity should encompass training, cultural sensitivity, and inclusive environments to foster innovation and diverse voices.
• Privilege and Opportunity: Accomplishments are influenced by privilege, opportunity, and resources; talent evaluation should account for these factors.
• Community Trust: Historical marginalization and human experimentation necessitate building trust through time investment and genuine engagement.
• The trap of ‘Special funds’: Over reliance on special funds for women, or black and indigenous researchers could lead to those projects being easily cut and not being truly integrated into institutional strategy.

Recommendations/Next Steps

• Broaden Problem Framing: Frame research questions to include diverse disciplines and perspectives, creating space for wider expert involvement.
• Embed EDIA in Research Design: Integrate EDIA considerations throughout the research process, from conceptualization to knowledge mobilization, adapting methodologies accordingly.
• Engage Community-Based Researchers: Involve community researchers to ensure relevance, respect, and incorporation of local knowledge, allocating resources for meaningful partnerships.
• Challenge Underlying Assumptions: Question conventional definitions of excellence and impact within institutions, addressing biases in evaluation and reward systems.
• Promote Ethical Research Practices: Ensure appropriate consultations, informed consent, and resource allocation to avoid coercion when engaging diverse communities.
• Cultivate Inclusive Teams: Foster inclusive team cultures where all members are trained, supported, and empowered to contribute diverse perspectives.
• Adopt Diverse Methodologies: Incorporate methods from critical race theory, discourse analysis, and participatory research to better understand diverse populations.
• Continuous Learning and Self-Reflection: Challenge personal assumptions, learn about historical injustices, and understand how privilege shapes experiences and opportunities.