Diversity and inclusion are essential year-round. Pride Month gives us time to pause and reflect on our actions and our approaches. How we undertake our research to be more inclusive is a crucial part of this reflection. Over the last few months, we have been undertaking lots of work internally to review and strengthen our inclusive research practices and approaches. For us, this is important to ensure that all voices are heard and represented. Engaging with diverse communities, such as the LGBTQ+ community, enriches our understanding and strengthens the outcomes for those communities we engage with.
Greater awareness drives innovation and progress. It supports more inclusive and informed decision-making. There has been a shift in how our industry incorporates diverse voices in evaluation practices. For example, changes to the last census included deeper questions about the LGBTQ+ community. More can be done. By actively incorporating diverse perspectives, we can drive meaningful change and foster an environment where everyone feels seen and respected.
The Market Research Society (MRS) has developed an Inclusion Pledge. One of the pillars focuses on research design and conduct, focusing on representation for all. It includes:
Active consideration of inclusive research designs and methodologies
Transparent communication of the sampling practice within projects especially when claims of national representation are to be made
As proud signatories to this pledge, we have used the MRS pledge as a framework to structure our Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) approach to better reflect our commitments across all areas of the pledge. This includes commitments around staff pay, diversifying staff representation and senior leadership, and creating a welcoming and safe culture for all we work with. As a framework, it has provided us with a structure for our EDI approach across all our working practices that ensures accountability as we continue to progress and evolve.
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