It is a core value of the Intervention Research in Systemic Family Therapy Topic Interest Network to affirm and promote equity, diversity, and inclusion by challenging structural prejudice and oppression and fostering a climate where all individuals experience intrinsic mutual respect and freedom to exist without fearing harm. We enact this value through policies and practices, not just within our organization, but throughout the mental health services we provide and the systemic research we conduct. Specifically, we view it central to the practice of ethical systemic research to:
- create spaces that are inviting and welcoming to diverse populations;
- recruit and mentor diverse research team members;
- reduce barriers to participation and amplify voices that have been historically silenced;
- seek input from, and collaborate with, community stakeholders impacted by the research we conduct;
- provide inclusive options for participants to self-identify;
- increase access to the resulting knowledge of research by making data accessible; and translating results into forms relevant to the communities who can benefit from the information.