How to integrate equity, diversity, and inclusion into your ESRC IAA funding application By Karisha Kimone George, Sara-Lou Morgan-Walker and Sarah Laptain.
Executive summary This toolkit was developed from interviews with ESRC IAA applicants. These interviews sought to identify the equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI)-related considerations that strengthened applications and supported more equitable impact practice. The toolkit should primarily be used by potential applicants as an assessment aid. It aims to help you analyse the degree to which you have fully considered EDI when: •
conceptualising your research impact and knowledge exchange (KE) plans
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developing the various aspects of your impact or KE project
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considering which audiences, publics and stakeholders might benefit from your work
It is important to note that successfully funded projects typically built on previous research and were one part of a wider plan for sustainable and equitable research impact. Considering outlined recommendations within previous, current and future research activity is therefore advised.
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How to engage in EDI-informed research and impact practice Project idea conceptualisation This section outlines how EDI can be centred when you are beginning to conceptualise your research impact ideas with the intention of potentially developing a submission for ESRC IAA funding.
Integrate interdisciplinarity
Interdisciplinarity refers to the integration of research methods, findings and perspectives from two or more academic disciplines to solve complex societal problems, often leading to research impact projects more capable of better addressing the particular issue. Interdisciplinarity can strengthen the capacity of your project to tackle the identified societal issue in an impactful manner by drawing on the wisdom of multiple disciplines, developing a collaborative team who can work together to enhance the developing idea.
Critically evaluate your positionality
Research is not neutral, and it is important for researchers to deeply consider the extent to which their positionality may be influencing how the impact project idea develops. Positionality involves considering how oneʼs research lens may lead to certain biases in research and engagement choices (such as research methods) and alienate potential participants from full participation. Adopting an approach which avoids the risk of extractive research practices (one which actively dismantles traditional research hierarchies and emphasises equity and mutual respect when engaging with marginalised Global North partners as well as partners from the Global South) is key. The priority is to engage with your participants and partners in a manner that prioritises the benefits that they can receive from the research, and to adopt trauma-informed research and engagement methods (methods required when exploring topics that may involve a reliving of past traumas) where necessary.
Project development This section outlines how to integrate EDI into your project as you move into project planning.
Consider intersectionality You may want to consider the impact of intersectionality within your application. Intersectionality involves considering how a focus on individual aspects of peopleʼs backgrounds ignores the overlapping and compounding nature of the lived experience of those who belong to multiple underrepresented backgrounds. Embedding intersectionality better reflects participant lived experiences, enhancing the potential impact of your project by enabling targeted, equitable, and actionable solutions to emerge for the societal or economic issue that you are exploring.
Prioritise alternative ways of engaging with marginalised communities
You should consider engaging with your participants as equal partners throughout the research process to ensure the integration of diverse perspectives. You can obtain guidance, oversight and feedback through co-designing (during project development) and/or co-production (during project running). This can include for instance using an advisory board, a lived experience (scrutiny) panel, or a community partner. Whichever you choose, ensure that it is appropriately resourced in your application budget.
Project impact Considering EDI within your research impact plans is important when applying for funding, especially when working with marginalised communities/ partners involved in, or affected by, your proposed work. ʻMarginalisedʼ refers to individuals who are systematically denied the same access to power, resources, and opportunities as the dominant group within a specific context. You should also consider the impact of the project on marginalised researchers within the project team, especially when the project may be personally relevant to them or may be emotionally challenging (e.g. involving bias and prejudice). Consider these factors when outlining how you will maximise the positive impact of your project in order to strengthen your application. You may find engaging with the wide range of training opportunities available at the University such as the Valuing Voices toolkit and the Anti-racist toolkit particularly helpful. If there is a risk of this sort of harm, you should seek ethics approval from your local ethics committee before commencing the project. Please consult the Universityʼs Guidance on Impact, Ethics and Data Protection in order to understand the circumstances under which impact and knowledge exchange work requires formal ethics clearance.