The Inequalities Research Network (IRN) is a collaborative group of researchers, health professionals, and research delivery experts in the East of England, dedicated to tackling inequalities, promoting diversity in research, and fostering inclusive public and patient involvement. Explore the IRN Mission Statement here.
The IRN is free to join and supports its members to connect, share insights and drive meaningful change in health research.
Register here: Join the IRN.
Our Leadership and Origins
The IRN is chaired by its founder, Dr Rakesh Modi, Clinical Senior Research Associate at the Primary Care Unit, University of Cambridge and coordinated by James Cantwell, Communications, Engagement and PPIE Manager, Primary Care Unit.
Originally established under the Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Integrated Care Board and supported by an NHS England Research Engagement Network Development Grant, the IRN is now hosted by the Primary Care Unit at the University of Cambridge, Department of Public Health and Primary Care.
Our Goals
We aim to:
- Engage with underserved communities to shape impactful research ideas
- Develop research proposals that contribute to reducing health inequalities
- Identify priorities and effective engagement strategies for these communities
- Secure funding to ensure the sustainability of our work
- Expand the network and inspire the creation of similar initiatives regionally and nationally
- Facilitate knowledge exchange on studying and addressing inequalities
- Support members with their current work in inequalities research
Our Impact
In its first year, the IRN has:
- Supported research engagement events with underserved communities
- Promoted diverse recruitment in multiple research studies
- Built strong partnerships across universities, NIHR institutes, and healthcare providers
Join Us
We invite researchers, healthcare professionals, and those working in health inequalities to join the IRN and contribute to our mission.
Register here: Join the IRN
Our meetings, held every two months, offer an opportunity to share learning, build collaborations, and engage with the communities that matter most to your research. Access the recordings of our previous guest presentations here.
For meeting invitations and further information, please contact James Cantwell, IRN Coordinator: Inequalities-Research-Network@medschl.cam.ac.uk.
Our next IRN Meeting - May 2026
The next IRN will take place on Monday 18 May 2026 from 12:00 - 1:00 pm. Contact us to attend the event: Inequalities-Research-Network@medschl.cam.ac.uk
Our previous meetings
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Guest Presentations:
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The first presentation came from Margaret Greenfields, Professor of Social Policy, Faculty of Health Medicine and Social Care, Anglia Ruskin University. She presented the MigRefHealth project, which is co-Producing transferable delivery models and solutions to health and care inequalities experienced by Refugee, Asylum Seeking and Migrant Populations (2024-2027).
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The second presentation came from Chantal Balasooriya-Smeekens, Postdoctoral Research Associate at the Department of Public Health and Primary Care, University of Cambridge. She presented a project funded by Alliance for Cancer Early Detection (ACED) Cohort and Prevent Breast study which has held local community engagements events.
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Held on Monday 23 March 2026, we were joined by guest presenter, Emilia Tylenda, Senior Research Assistant based at the Centre for Research in Public Health and Community Care at the University of Hertfordshire. Watch Emilia's presentation here. Read more on Emilia's research here.
Inequalities Research Network - November Meeting
Date: 24 November 2025, 12:00-13:00
Inequalities Research Network - September Meeting Updates
Date: Monday 29 September 2025, 12:00-13:00
The IRN was joined by Professor Margaret Greenfields, Professor of Social Policy, Anglia Ruskin University, who presented 'Place-based interventions to address health and wellbeing inequalities for Roma people aged 40+'.
Date: 28 July 2025, 12-1pm.
Access the meeting minutes below:
The IRN was joined by Dr Emily Clark, NIHR In-Practice Fellow, who presented 'supporting participation of the sanctuary seeking community in research'.
Date: 12 May 2025, 12-1pm.
The IRN will be joined by Professor Mike Kelly and colleagues who will discuss their project: Pulmonary Rehabilitation in the Bangladeshi, Black African and Black Caribbean Communities: The UPTURN Research Project.
Date: 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm, 31 March 2025
The IRN was joined by Dr John Ford (Senior Lecturer and NIHR Advanced Fellow at Queen Mary's University London), who discussed the Health Equity Evidence Centre.
Date: 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm, 13 January 2025