New Centre for Health Research Inclusion at the University of York
Some health conditions affect ethnic minority groups more than the wider population, yet minority groups are less likely to take part in research. This includes research into type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, and asthma. Improving diversity in health research is essential to ensure treatments are effective for everyone, regardless of ethnicity, gender, disability or age.
The University of York has long been at the forefront of health research, contributing to national and global advancements in medical sciences, healthcare policy, and public health. Now it has launched the new Centre for Health Research Inclusion – an important step forward in ensuring that health research is not only groundbreaking but also inclusive, equitable, and reflective of diverse communities.
What is the Centre for Health Research Inclusion?
The Centre for Health Research Inclusion (CHERI), launched in January 2026, has been set up to address one of the most pressing issues in healthcare research: the lack of diversity in research studies and the often-neglected health needs of minority groups. This leads to gaps in healthcare knowledge, unequal access to effective treatments, and health inequalities.
The new Centre’s mission is to bridge these gaps by improving the inclusivity and representativeness of health research for public good. We champion health research that benefits everyone, regardless of background or circumstance.
Key Goals and Objectives of CHERI
The Centre for Health Research Inclusion will focus on three key goals:
- Inclusive Research Excellence: It aims to be a centre of excellence in inclusive health research, conducting research that leads to improved health outcomes for underserved communities.
- Cross-sector collaboration: The Centre for Health Research Inclusion will be working closely with a broad network of partners to advance knowledge in inclusive research practices. This includes people working in academia, business, healthcare, industry, and health charities. If you would like to join the Network, please fill in this form. We will share regular updates about our work and a quarterly newsletter.
- Capacity Building: One of CHERI’s goals is to train students and researchers to conduct studies that include diverse populations. Email us at CHERI-info@york.ac.uk if you would like to register to attend a training webinar.
Looking Ahead
Ultimately, the Centre aims to improve how we conduct health research so that the findings apply to a wider range of people. This leads to better research and more impactful healthcare solutions. The launch of the Centre for Health Research Inclusion, based in the Department of Health Sciences, marks an exciting step towards health equity, with diversity and inclusion at the heart of its work.
Team members include:
Dr Suman Prinjha, Associate Professor, York Trials Unit
Professor Catriona McDaid, Professor of Applied Health Research, York Trials Unit
Professor Catherine Hewitt, Director York Trials Unit, Deputy Head of Dept (Research)
Professor Kiran Trehan, Pro-Vice-Chancellor, University of York