A Shared Commitment to Building Equitable Research Partnerships

The Greater Manchester Respectful Research Charter, building trust and impact through collaborative partnerships between researchers, research organisations, the VCSE sector, and public communities.

GM Research Charter The Story of REN

A Mental Health Research Partnership

NIHR ARC-GM partnered with Awakening Minds, a specialist Punjabi mental health service, and Made by Mortals, who bring lived experience to life through immersive audio, film and theatre. Together they explored the barriers to taking part in mental health research.

Mental Health Research Partnership

Inclusive and Accessible Research Partnerships

Working with the Community Interest Company, Pathways Associates and People First Merseyside, and other academic collaborators, to co-develop top tips for including people with learning disabilities and/or autism in research.

About The GM Respectful Research Charter

This charter is more than a document—it represents a shared commitment to building trusted, impactful, and mutually beneficial relationships between researchers, research organisations, the Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise sector, and members of the public.

The charter is not a static checklist

Instead, it is designed to inspire researchers to think differently about what’s possible—to be truly inclusive and to ensure that everyone has access to research opportunities.

Importantly it is also about empowering VCFSE organisations, community leaders, and the public to know what to expect from research. It’s about creating clarity and confidence in how we work together, so these partnerships feel fair, respectful, and transparent.

At its heart is a simple but powerful belief: everyone has the right to have a voice in shaping health and care research that improves health and wellbeing for all.

Stories for Change

The collation of case studies of good practice to demonstrate impact for the community, VCFSE organisation and research organisations, and evidence of shared learning.

Story of GM REN

Greater Manchester is proud to be home to diverse communities, and it is important that this diversity is reflected in the health and care research taking place here.

Greater Manchester Research Engagement Network (GM REN) set out to understand the barriers preventing those who are typically underrepresented in research to engage in the process, and then to put measures in place to break down those barriers and make research accessible to all.

Aims of the GM REN

Featured Resources

All Resources

GM Respectful Research Supporters

A collaborative network working to create an inclusive environment that enables diverse communities to take part in health research, addressing health and care inequalities.

Primary Care Commercial Research Delivery Centres - Ashton Medical Group

Manchester Health Determinants Research Collaboration

Manchester Clinical Research Facility

Greater Manchester Commercial Research Delivery Centre