Why is monitoring diversity important?

As a researcher, you are committed to promoting and developing equality, diversity and inclusivity in all areas of your work, in line with the NIHR key priorities: Equality, diversity and inclusion | NIHR

Diversity improves research; a diverse group creates the potential for different opinions, ideas and solutions. An inclusive environment enables people to voice their suggestions without fear and to feel valued and welcome.

It is worth considering monitoring the diversity of the people involved in your research project, in order to ensure you know if you are succeeding in involving different groups of people, and therefore be able to change your approach if some groups are not represented. Monitoring diversity should form part of your EDI strategy, and obtaining analysis data can help you assess if you have met your EDI objectives. It can also help keep the research relevant to the people to whom the results are intended to apply.

Resources to help with monitoring diversity

An example of an Equality and Diversity monitoring form that could be used to obtain relevant data from your research participants or public contributors

You may also find the Developing an EDI strategy for a health and social care research funding application resource useful.