The widening participation research group studies the inter-relationship between policy, research, and practice as they impact on issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion in medical education. This extends the widening participation agenda beyond the presence of non-traditional medical education students, to support medical educators address the needs of diverse learners, recruited to better reflect the patients they will serve.

 

This is a research and development project.

It acknowledges that issues of WP differ across countries, cultures, medical education systems and curricula. An important implication of this is that best evidence practices may not always apply in contexts and cultures very different from the context in which research took place. There is also growing recognition that many research methods reflect the social power of those who developed them, and this includes their cultural bias. Thinking critically about the cultural basis of evidence and our research methods is an important focus for this group.

Our Aims Are:

• To share current best evidence practices and work collaboratively with a diverse range of medical educators, across varied international contexts
• To engage WP student collaborators in research.
• To develop and disseminate educational guidance and research of international value.