Inclusive Research Strategy & Advice
London-based inclusive research consultancy for NHS, funders, academia, and mission-driven organisations
Muhammed Rauf
Founder | Strategist | Inclusive Research Specialist
I grew up in South London watching communities like mine face the sharpest edges of inequality, from youth violence, to healthcare gaps, to economic exclusion. Years later, I entered the research world and saw how too often, the very people most affected by these issues were shut out of the conversations and processes meant to help them. Over the last five years, I’ve been part of changing that, working with councils, funders, NHS trusts, and universities to design inclusive research that centres lived experience, reflects cultural reality, and actually leads to change. My strength lies in bridging worlds: I’ve sat at grassroots community tables and policy roundtables, led frontline research and strategic design, and moved insight from the streets to the boardroom. I don’t just produce knowledge, I push it into action, helping institutions build credibility, shift systems, and better serve the people who’ve been overlooked for too long.
What I Offer
I provide inclusive research consulting across the UK, supporting public bodies, researchers, and funders to design, commission, and deliver inclusive, equitable research that drives real-world impact.
Support includes:
Developing participatory and place-based research models
Increasing representation and engagement of underserved communities in research and health innovation
Addressing medical apathy and rebuilding trust through culturally competent methodologies
Building capacity across academia, funders, and VCSE delivery teams
Supporting with community researcher recruitment, training, and programme setup
Advising on creative and accessible dissemination strategies
Reviewing research plans, frameworks or bid submissions for inclusivity and feasibility
Translating research and engagement into actionable strategy and measurable outcomes
How I Work With You
1. Project-Based Support
Fixed-scope projects where we co-design and deliver inclusive research, strategy, or training with clear deliverables and timelines.
Ideal for: Funded research, service evaluations, commissioned insight reports, or capacity-building programmes.
2. Ongoing Advisory
Flexible advisory or mentoring support. Use us as a thought partner, sounding board, or embedded inclusion advisor.
Ideal for: Leadership teams, research units, or programmes looking to embed inclusion at a strategic level.
3. Bespoke Training
Tailored training and facilitation designed for teams who want to build inclusive research capability, run workshops, or strengthen internal practice.
Ideal for: Universities, funders, NHS trusts, public health bodies, or grassroots organisations.
Who I Work With
I support institutions, charities, and mission-driven ventures working to embed inclusion and equity into their research and strategy. This includes:
- NHS trusts and public health teams
- Local authorities and integrated care systems (ICS)
- Universities and academic partnerships
- National charities, funders, and foundations
- Social entrepreneurs and grassroots organisations
“After just one session, you’ve transformed our partnership strategy”
Programme Director | UK Trade Body
“We have had double the applicants following your evaluation”
Head of Department | Local Authority
“You helped us to transform our entire strategy, I wish you had joined at the start”
Programme Manager | NHS Foundation
Why Work With Me
I didn’t come into this work through academia or policy. I came in because I lived it.
Growing up in South London, I saw first-hand how systems fail people and how research often misses the mark. That’s why, when I started working in community research, it wasn’t just a job, it was a mission.
In the last five years, I’ve helped shape research that changed how public sector organisations engage with communtiies. I’ve trained hundreds of people in inclusive and community research models. I’ve advised universities, spoken on NIHR stages, and helped organisations turn raw insight into strategy, without losing the human truth.
Here’s what you get with me:
- Someone who listens before they advise
- Someone who will challenge you.
- Someone who knows the street and the boardroom
If you’re looking for a critical friend who brings heart, credibility, and action, I’d love to work with you.