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.
The IRN is free to join and supports its members to connect, share insights and drive meaningful change in health research.
Our Leadership and Origins
The IRN is chaired by its founder, Dr Rakesh Modi, Clinical Senior Research Associate at the University of Cambridge, 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.
For meeting invitations and further information, please contact James Cantwell, IRN Coordinator (pcu-communications@medschl.ac.uk).
Our next IRN Meeting - May 2025
The next IRN Meeting will discuss our mission and your contributions to that. More information on the next keynote presentation and how to contribute to the mission will be shared prior to our next meeting.
Date: 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm, 12 May 2025
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