Unlimiting Research: Disability-inclusive ideas to create better research and workplaces

Naseem Allmomen, Magenta

Nas is Associate Director and the DE&I Lead at Magenta Research, ensuring DE&I is woven into every stage of the research process from recruitment through to reporting. Prior to Magenta she worked at Further, a research agency specialising in research with ‘lesser heard’ groups across different specialisms such as health and customer experience. She also worked as an Insight Manager for a mental health charity for 5 years, conducting research with people who have complex mental health conditions and co-morbidities. As a passionate advocate for inclusion in research, she regularly delivers inclusivity training upskilling researchers and commissioners to adopt more inclusive practices.

Josef Baines, London Sport

The first part of my career was spent focusing on disability sport development in London, advising various National Governing Bodies of sport, local authorities, delivery partners, and charities to enhance the inclusiveness of their projects to disabled people. Also, I project-managed high-profile projects such as 'Inclusive United' on behalf of The FA and Sport England, and a Sport England-funded 'Motivate East' project on behalf of the London Legacy Development Corporation to increase disabled people's activity levels.

Around four years' ago, I decided to switch my career to focus on what I have always wanted to do - applied / strategic research. I now work for London Sport as their Senior Insight Officer bringing together valuable strategic insights to make a tangible difference to organisations and individuals living in London, and conduct key research projects that aim to change the London population's physical activity behaviours.

Dan Clay, Basis Social

Dan Clay is the Managing Partner of Basis Social. He brings over 20 years' social research experience helping shape public policy, services and communications working at organisations ranging from Barnardo's and Action for Children to the Tavistock Institute and Verian. A passionate advocate for inclusive research practices, he authored the Consultation on Inclusive Data for ONS which won the MRS Award for Inclusive Research in 2023. He is a trustee of the SRA and a member of the MRS Social Equity Group.  

Jane Frost, CEO MRS

Jane is responsible for the leadership of MRS. Jane was previously at HM Revenue & Customs where she developed and led the individual customer function and the behavioural evidence and insight unit.

Before moving to HMRC in 2006, she held senior roles in both public and private sector organisations including Shell, Unilever, the Department of Constitutional Affairs and the BBC, where she was responsible for the iconic 'Perfect Day' campaign which, as well as winning advertisement of the year, raised £2.5m for Children in Need.

Kathryn Hall, True Insights Ltd, MRS Unlimited Steering Group Co-Chair 

Kathryn is a Director at True Insights with over 20 years of experience across a broad range of sectors. She is dedicated to advancing equality and inclusivity, with a particular focus on the charity sector. Kathryn has led numerous research studies that have significantly influenced and strengthened the Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) strategies of charities, broadcasters, and other organisations, driving meaningful change in their messaging and practices.

Her published work includes a landmark study for Ofcom on the representation and portrayal of minority groups, including disabled people, on television. More recently,  Under the True Insights umbrella Kathryn and collaborators have recently conducted research with minoritised communities for a range of clients, including charities, a broadcaster, and a public exhibition in London. She has also conducted sensitive research with diverse groups for the Metropolitan Police.

Kathryn's contributions have been recognised with her appointment as a 2023 MRS Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Changemaker of the Year Judge. Additionally, she holds an early accreditation in counselling skills, which informs her compassionate, thoughtful approach to research. Known for her unwavering commitment to amplifying diverse voices including those of disabled people, Kathryn is dedicated to fostering positive, lasting change through her work.

Christine Hemphill, Open Inclusion and Co-chair MRS Unlimited 

Christine is a disability and age-inclusive inclusive researcher, designer, and innovator. She founded and leads Open Inclusion, based in the UK and operating globally. Open is a global leader in market, social, design and innovation research that includes disabled and older participants. We help our clients better understand the impacts of functional human diversity to inform better decisions and empower better solutions. We work with governments, academia, large commercial organisations, NGOs, accelerators and entrepreneurial start-ups to help them understand their target markets / audiences more broadly and completely to identify, design and deliver more valuable outcomes.