From 28 to 30 January, SHINE took part in the IHI READI General Assembly in Madrid, Spain, contributing to consortium discussions and presenting its work within WP6 as leader of Task 6.2 on building the READI Community Clusters. SHINE was represented at the meeting by Carina Dantas, CEO; Miriam Cabrita, Research Director; and Carlos Iglesias, Project Manager.
READI (‘Representative Clinical Research, Advancing Inclusivity in Europe’) is a project funded by the Innovative Health Initiative aimed at fostering a more cohesive and integrated clinical studies ecosystem for underserved (US) and underrepresented (UR) communities.
Clinical research is vital for understanding diseases, developing treatments and improving care. To deliver better outcomes for all, it must be representative and inclusive. Yet, many populations continue to be underrepresented and underserved in clinical studies.
The meeting was inaugurated by Fátima Matute Teresa, Regional Minister of Health of the Comunidad de Madrid, marking an important moment for the READI consortium. The General Assembly combined plenary discussions with dedicated workshops and Work Package sessions, creating space for shared reflection on progress during the project’s first year and for partners to align priorities for the year ahead.
SHINE contributed particularly to the WP6 session dedicated to Community Connectivity, which aims to foster connectivity with underserved and underrepresented populations, build Community Clusters involving diverse stakeholders, and strengthen access, trust, equity and inclusion in clinical research.
Our team also participated in several cross-project workshop sessions, including discussions on the characteristics and prioritisation of underserved and underrepresented populations, on patient pathways at the READI Patient Platform, and a joint workshop focused on methods for reaching external audiences. These exchanges were particularly relevant for ensuring that the Community Clusters work remains connected with the project’s wider approaches to population understanding, digital tools, engagement and responsible research.
The General Assembly also provided an important opportunity for partners from across Europe to exchange perspectives, consolidate initial analyses and strengthen coordination around ongoing work on inclusive and representative clinical research.
For SHINE, the meeting was an important step in connecting the emerging Community Clusters methodology with complementary activities across READI as the project moved into its second year.
Find out more at https://ihi-readi.org/