Researchers looking to make their studies more inclusive and reach a broader range of communities are being encouraged to get involved in Raising Voices in Research (RViR), a partnership project working to increase diversity in health and care research participation.
Raising Voices in Research (RViR) currently has multiple opportunities for researchers to get involved in the project and work with local communities to increase diversity in research participation.
About Raising Voices in Research
Raising Voices in Research (RViR) is a multi-partner project that aims to increase diversity in health and care research participation. It is delivered by a partnership including Action Hampshire, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Integrated Care Board, University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, and the Engaging Communities in Research Centre at the University of Winchester.
Further information about the project can be found here: Raising Voices in Research | Increasing Diversity in Research Participation
Opportunity 1: RViR Research Collaborative
Part of the RViR project is the Research Collaborative, a forum that brings together voluntary, community and social enterprise groups, community members, and researchers across the South East to discuss research participation, involvement, and engagement opportunities. Here is a link to more information about the purpose of the group: Research Collaborative | Raising Voices in Research.
The Research Collaborative utilises an online space but we also host three in-person events per year. Our next event will be held in Southampton on Saturday 26 September. They are looking for researchers to present at this meeting. To be eligible to present you must be currently recruiting participants to a study or looking to undertake PPI activities to shape your research proposal. They would particularly like to hear from researchers who work in the following areas but would be open to applications from researchers in wider health and social care research fields too:
How to get involved: If you are interested in presenting, please contact Action Hampshire (ivan.epshtein@actionhampshire.org) as soon as possible with further information about your research study.
Opportunity 2: RViR Research Adaption Programme
The focus of RViR Research Adaption Programme is to support researchers and VCSEs to work together to make updates to research projects or proposals to ensure studies are accessible and inclusive of the communities they’re trying to reach. For example, previous pairings have co-designed new recruitment materials or changed their recruitment methods as a result of guidance from VCSEs and their community members. By making these changes, under-served communities will be more likely to engage with research as it has been adapted to meet their needs.
Researchers participating in the Research Adaption Programme will undertake RViR ‘Developing community-led research’ training. After which you will be matched with a VCSE organisation to exchange knowledge and ideas to adapt an existing research proposal/project based on the community’s needs (that they will have identified through previous project work). Researchers and VCSEs will be expected to work together from October 2026 – February 2027.
Click this link to find out more: RViR RAP - Researcher Advert.pdf
How to get involved: To apply, please complete the following application: Raising Voices in Research: Research Adaption Programme- Researcher Application Form – Fill in form. The deadline to apply is Wednesday 30 September.
If you have any questions about either of the RViR opportunities, please don't hesitate to get in touch via enquiries@rvir.co.uk.
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