Qualitative Open Mic: Anti-racist Qualitative Health Research - Wayne Farah on framing anti-racist research questions

In this series, we look at whether, how, and to what extent qualitative health research can contribute towards anti-racism and decolonisation. We take a journey through qualitative research, exploring at how theoretical framing, topic, process, results, sharing findings and impact can contribute to the cause of anti-racism.

In this episode:

This episode looks what makes a qualitative health research question anti-racist. Wayne Farah is a co-ordinator of the NHS Confederation BME Leadership Network, has over 20 years’ experience as an NHS Non-Executive Director, and has background as a policy officer and also working in the third sector, with involvement in community organisations and anti-racism campaigns. 

Wayne argues that we need to stop framing research questions around prevalence and start directly addressing structural racism in health services. Solely looking at differences in prevalence is race science but not science on racism. We then discuss how qualitative methods are well placed to do this, and think about how research on access to healthcare can better address racism. Finally, Wayne explores how health inequalities research can veer into racial profiling.

Listen below, or on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.