Exploring businesses as research sites to improve representation of research participants
Background
Clinical research often underrepresents many population groups, limiting the diversity and applicability of findings. A key barrier to this is the accessibility to traditional research settings for people with full-time jobs or caregiving responsibilities.
Businesses are central to community life and provide a convenient, trusted environment for employees. By embedding research opportunities within workplaces, we can improve participation, reduce inequalities, and support workforce health. Over the next two years, the HIN and NIHR will be working together to expand research into community settings and broaden access.
Aims
- Increase representation of groups traditionally underrepresented in research
- Reduce barriers to participation by bringing research closer to where people live and work
- Support workforce health and productivity, as well-managed long-term conditions, good mental health, and reduced musculoskeletal issues help maintain employment and reduce sickness absence
- Deliver economic benefits by lowering employer costs related to absenteeism, helping maintain workforce productivity and reducing reliance on state benefits
Methodology
This two-year project will take a sequenced approach using the double diamond design process with an added stage for spread and adoption.
Starting with an initial scoping phase to identify one to three south London businesses willing to pilot workplace-based research participation, the project will then move onto the discover, define, develop and deliver phases.
It will generate evidence on feasibility, acceptability, and impact, providing a scalable model for NIHR’s ambition to deliver research beyond traditional healthcare environments.
Areas of focus
As part of the scoping phase, we aim to target businesses which have higher proportions of underrepresented communities in research (e.g. construction companies). The project will build on the learning of using this approach to increase participation of south west London residents in research based in primary care settings.
Our main focus will be connecting staff to studies looking at some of the conditions we know have the greatest impact on working-age adults:
- Mental Health conditions
- Musculoskeletal conditions
- Cardiovascular Disease (CVD)
If you’re a health and care professional, employer or researcher interested in this work – please do get in touch with us.
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