Prof Miratul Muqit, Centre Director of the Parkinson’s Research Centre, co-founded by Parkinson’s UK and UK Dementia Research Institute, spoke to MPs and officials at the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Parkinsons about the importance of inclusion in research
We were delighted to join colleagues from Parkinson’s UK in Parliament for a recent meeting of the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Parkinson’s.
The APPG on Parkinson’s is a group of Members of Parliament, convened by Parkinson’s UK who are keen to advocate for people with Parkinson’s in Parliament. UK DRI was invited to speak at a session focused on research and how inequalities in ethnicity and gender can be bridged through inclusive approaches to research.
Prof Miratul Muqit showcased how he would embed inclusion in the Parkinson’s Research Centre through genuine and trusting community engagement. He also spoke about the importance of considering heterogeneity of disease to enable breakthroughs that will transform people’s lives.
I was delighted to have this opportunity to come to Parliament and speak to policymakers about research inclusion. It is vital that inclusive approaches are embedded across research to ensure the tools, tests and treatments we are working so hard to develop work for everyone.
Centre Director
The Centre is a pioneering initiative that will bring together leading Parkinson’s researchers dedicated to better understanding the causes of Parkinson’s and finding new treatments to prevent, halt, and ultimately find cures for the condition. Parkinson’s UK and the UK Dementia Research Institute will each invite £5million over 5 years to drive forward this vital research.
Prof Muqit was joined by Clare Bale, Associate Director of Research at Parkinson’s UK, who shared how the charity was championing gender-inclusive research, and Shafaq Hussain, who reflected on her own experience of living with Parkinson’s and challenges she faced being involved in research.
Reflecting on the event Prof Muqit said:
“I was delighted to have this opportunity to come to Parliament and speak to policymakers about research inclusion. It is vital that inclusive approaches are embedded across research to ensure the tools, tests and treatments we are working so hard to develop work for everyone.
It was heartening to hear how MPs and officials will take forward our experiences and work with government and researchers to support the science that will deliver a future of healthy brain ageing for all.
I’d like to thank Parkinson’s UK for inviting me to speak. It is only through working in partnership that we will make the breakthroughs that will transform the lives of people living with Parkinson’s.”
Graeme Downie MP, Chair of the APPG on Parkinson’s said:
“It was wonderful to hear from today’s speakers about to vital importance of compassion and inclusion to research. Shafaq’s powerful talk about her own experience was testament to the need to include people living with Parkinson’s at every stage of research, to build trust, confidence and understanding.
Hearing from Claire and Prof Muqit was incredibly insightful, and demonstrated how policymakers, government, and researchers can work together to ensure inclusive approaches are embedded across the research pipeline, from funding to practice. As an APPG we greatly value the input of everyone involved in research, hearing their perspectives today has demonstrated the opportunities for collaboration with life science researchers across Parliament.”