Diversifying Research Podcast

Over the course of this podcast series, Fola Afolabi and her guests will critically consider how to improve the inclusion of underrepresented voices in research. The Diversifying Research Podcast series was funded by the NIHR Imperial BRC Patient Experience Research Centre (PERC) and created by Fola Afolabi.

Meerat Kaur, Interim Deputy Theme Lead (Engagement and Involvement) for the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration Northwest London at the time of recording, explains the different stages of the research cycle. Drawing on her PhD, she highlights the importance of organisations and the wider community being involved in the process of improving healthcare.

Kay Ollivierre, Patient, Public and Professional Involvement Lead at Imperial College Health Partners, explores the benefits of adopting a whole systems approach towards improving diversity. She also speaks about the exciting initiatives being carried out by community groups to tackle digital exclusion.

Lizzy Choong speaks about her experiences being involved in health research since the age of 11, including being part of the Great Ormond Street Hospital Young Person’s Advisory Group and Young People’s Forum, and supporting the NIHR BRC Imperial Patient Experience Research Centre to set up a Young People’s Advisory Group. She highlights how she managed her time, the benefits of being involved in research, and provides advice on how best to engage young people.

De-Shaine Murray, a Black British Caribbean second year PhD student at Imperial College London within the field of neurotechnology, shares his journey navigating academia. He highlights the importance of support from his family, friends and peer support networks.

De-Shaine Murray, a Black British Caribbean second year PhD student at Imperial College London within the field of neurotechnology, speaks about the barriers students from underrepresented backgrounds face when accessing academia. He explains why he got involved in access and outreach, through being a peer mentor for the Amos Bursary and speaking to local school students as part of the Elite Scientists programme.

Makinder Chahal, Senior Health Promotion Worker and Intersectionality Lead at Trade Sexual Health (a health and sexual health charity based in Leicester), speaks about involving the LGBT communities in research. He also speaks about how best to tackle research fatigue within the trans community, and how Trade Sexual Health is addressing the needs of the LGBT community during the pandemic. This episode also explores the importance of being aware of the differences between identity, behaviour and desire. 

Cherelle Augustine is the Engagement Coordinator at NIHR Applied Research Collaboration Northwest London, a sickle cell advocate, and co-founder of Broken Silence (a charitable organisation which promotes awareness of sickle cell disease). She speaks about living with sickle cell disease, and innovative ways of engaging communities in health research.

Dr Monjur Showkat is a Clinical Lecturer within the Faculty of Medicine at Imperial College London. He speaks about his involvement in the Pathways to Medicine programme, heart disease within the Bangladeshi community, and co-founding a non-profitable company to support young people with their medical school applications.

Maria Piggin, the Partnerships and Training Manager at the NIHR BRC Imperial Patient Experience Research Centre (PERC), highlights the importance of public involvement in research; she also provides advice to researchers who are interested in involving the public in their research.

Maria Piggin, the Partnerships and Training Manager at the NIHR BRC Imperial Patient Experience Research Centre (PERC), explains how members of the public and patients can get involved in research activities.