Incorporating equity and inclusion into your research practice: Introductory principles

Equity and inclusion challenges arise in research, no matter what the specific subject of that research is. This series of 13 lessons introduces researchers to the principles, challenges, and practical strategies for integrating social equity into research practice. Across the videos, users will learn why equity matters—both to prevent harm and to repair past injustices—and how it affects every stage of the research process, from forming inclusive research teams and recognizing hidden biases in research paradigms, to designing methods, interpreting data, and engaging communities in research. The lessons emphasize the importance of valuing diverse ways of knowing, confronting embedded ideologies and biases, and moving beyond extractive approaches toward shared power and community collaboration. By the end, users will gain a clearer understanding of how to conduct research that is more reflective, inclusive, and responsive to the needs and knowledge of marginalized communities, while building lasting, trust-based partnerships.

Introduction
Introduction to our teacher, Dr. Sarah Elizabeth Mccullough, Associate Director, Feminist Research Institute at the University of California at Davis. 

1. What Are The Stakes? 
Equity in research is essential to prevent harm and repair past injustices by centering marginalized communities and valuing their lived experiences.

2. Equity Demands Complex Solutions 
Addressing equity requires embracing complex, multi-dimensional solutions that prioritize process, diverse methods, and community-driven outcomes.

3. Building and Maintaining a Diverse Research Group
Building inclusive research environments involves making expectations explicit, questioning norms, and fostering supportive, transparent mentoring practices.

4. How Diverse Is Your Research Team?
Evaluating and improving team diversity requires intentional reflection on representation, inclusion, and whose perspectives are truly valued.

5. Hidden Ideologies in Research Practices
Research practices are shaped by often-unseen historical ideologies, and recognizing these influences is key to producing more equitable outcomes.

6. Components of An Inclusive Lab
Inclusive labs are built through clear expectations, equitable labor practices, transparent norms, and measurable commitments to equity.

7. Explicit Conversations about Oppression
Open and ongoing conversations about oppression and systemic inequities are necessary to create more aware and inclusive research communities.

8. Biases In Our Data
Data and models can reinforce existing inequities, so researchers must critically assess biases and consider how their work shapes future outcomes.

9. Models of Participation
Meaningful community participation ranges from extractive to fully collaborative, with the goal of achieving shared power and co-creation in research.

10. Who Picks The Problems?
Equity-focused research challenges us to rethink who defines research questions and whose priorities and perspectives guide the work.

11. Community-Based Participatory Research
Community-based participatory research centers communities as partners who help shape questions, methods, and outcomes.

12. General Tips for Working with Communities
Effective community engagement requires understanding local history, respecting community leadership, communicating clearly, and providing fair compensation for participation.

13. Continuing Collaboration
Sustained, trust-based relationships with communities depend on ongoing collaboration and commitment beyond individual projects.