The practical wisdom of inclusive research

The concept of inclusive research epitomizes the transformation away from research on people, to research with them. Applied particularly, but not exclusively, in the field of learning disabilities, the concept encapsulates the drive to involve people in the design and conduct of research about them, reach and represent their lived experience, respect them and value different ways of knowing. This article discusses some of the challenges that UK inclusive researchers have shared in focus groups aimed at taking stock of this transformative movement and it shares how a local UK research collaboration between academics and people with learning disabilities has addressed some of these challenges. Inclusive research methods of generating and analysing data are examined within the broader context of how research projects and partnerships are enacted. The article concludes that doing research inclusively is gradually transforming through collective practical wisdom and praxis.