Communities know their neighbourhoods. Listen & Learn first to understand people and their needs.
When we talk about respectful research, cultural and religious competence and racial sensitivity are absolutely essential. The first step? Listen and learn before anything else.
We show respect for cultural norms, traditions, and values throughout the research process. That means involving trusted voices—community champions, leaders, and experts—right from the start.
Ask questions when you don’t know something. Curiosity, done respectfully, builds trust.
Before research begins, we work together to create shared aims and set clear expectations. Language matters too—so we provide translation services, materials in preferred languages, and accessible formats to remove barriers.
Cultural competence training is key for researchers to understand the unique cultural, historical, and social contexts of diverse communities. We also acknowledge past mistakes and work to rebuild trust where communities have had poor experiences of research.
And we never forget that identity is complex—people belong to many communities and have unique experiences of discrimination and oppression.
