97 Fostering inclusive research partnerships: empowering marginalised communities

Abstract EP1.4, e-Poster Terminal 1, September 4, 2025, 11:35 - 13:00 Aim To co-produce research collaboration and allyship with marginalised communities and voluntary sector organisations and pave the way for novel approaches to advancing public involvement, knowledge dissemination, and research capacity building. Methods A comprehensive initiative was launched to explore the health and social care research priorities within ethnic minority populations across the United Kingdom (REPRESENT Study). Qualitative data collection took place in the East Midlands region among ethnic minority and marginalised communities, with participants representing diverse backgrounds, including African Caribbean, Eastern European, Gypsy and Traveller, LGBTQIA+, Refugees and Asylum Seekers, Somali, and South Asian communities. Individual interviews were conducted with unpaid carers, nurses/midwives, general practitioners, and researchers. Also, a national survey was deployed to identify priority health and social care research areas for various populations and the best approaches for enhancing involvement in research, such as recruitment and communication strategies. Findings Data was collected from participants through focus group discussions (n = 45), individual interviews (n = 7) and a survey (n = 982). Partnerships with voluntary organisations (n = 10) empowered and amplified the voices of marginalised communities, led to increased engagement and participation and, most importantly, cultivated a space for nurturing sustainable partnerships tailored to diverse, intersectional community needs. Core research concerns and interests were under three overarching categories: health information, health and social care service experiences, and health research. The top challenges to engagement with health and social care services and research were discrimination, delayed services, poor cultural relevance, and language and cultural barriers. Conclusions Partnership with marginalised groups and voluntary sector organisations underpins equity and diversity awareness, acting as a driving force for a transformative approach in meaningfully engaged, truly inclusive research. The data collected from these partnerships reflected that the perspectives and experiences of marginalised groups and their members varied, but involvement can ultimately contribute to more relevant and impactful research outcomes.