Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in Evidence Synthesis Working Group

Evidence synthesis brings together findings from existing research to answer questions about health, public health and social care. It includes systematic and rapid reviews, evidence maps and other approaches used to inform policy, practice and future research.

We bring together researchers, evidence synthesis specialists, public contributors and others working across the NIHR Evidence Synthesis Programme. We provide a space for open discussion and shared learning about equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) in evidence synthesis.

Our membership is open and flexible. People can join regularly or contribute when the group is discussing an issue relevant to their work.

Why EDI matters in evidence synthesis
Equality, diversity and inclusion are closely connected:
•    Equality means identifying and removing unfair barriers.
•    Diversity means including a wide range of people, experiences and perspectives.
•    Inclusion means enabling people to participate, contribute and be heard.
•    Equity recognises that people may need different support or resources to achieve fair opportunities and outcomes.

EDI matters throughout evidence synthesis, from deciding which questions to ask to sharing the findings. Primary research has not always represented the full range of people affected by health and social care decisions. Some groups may be excluded or poorly represented, and important participant characteristics may not be collected or reported. This can make it difficult to judge who the findings apply to and may reinforce existing inequities.

Evidence synthesis can help reveal patterns of exclusion and inequity across studies. It can also identify gaps that should shape future research, policy and practice. 

Our purpose
Our aim is to embed EDI throughout the design, conduct, reporting and dissemination of evidence synthesis. We work together to:
•    build a shared understanding of EDI and social justice in evidence synthesis
•    share learning, examples and practical guidance
•    connect researchers, public contributors and others with relevant expertise or lived experience
•    support the development, use and evaluation of EDI methods and tools
•    encourage a culture in which EDI is everyone's responsibility

What we do
We meet every 4-6 weeks to discuss challenges, share emerging work and learn from one another. Our current work includes comparing approaches to EDI in evidence synthesis, identifying shared principles and considering how methods and tools can be implemented and evaluated in practice.

Meetings are open to people working within the NIHR Evidence Synthesis Programme. 

To join the group or receive meeting invitations, please email Pauline Campbell or NESSIE:

pauline.campbell@gcu.ac.uk
NESSIE@ed.ac.uk

Co-leads
•    Pauline Campbell, NIHR Evidence Synthesis Scotland Initiative (NESSIE)
•    Zhivko Zhelev, Exeter HSDR Evidence Synthesis Centre

Resources 
The following resources can help review teams consider equity and EDI:
•    Cochrane resources for review authors 
•    PROGRESS-Plus, for identifying characteristics that may influence health opportunities and outcomes
•    PRISMA-Equity, reporting guidance for equity-focused systematic reviews
•    PRO EDI, a tool to support consideration and reporting of EDI in systematic reviews
•    Kunonga Framework, for integrating inequality and inequity considerations across evidence synthesis
•    GRADE equity guidelines 
•    INCLUDE Ethnicity Framework 

We will add further guidance, publications, training and relevant events as they become available.