The Inclusive and Equitable fNIRS (UK) project aims to 'understand and reduce racial and ethnic inequalities in fNIRS neuroimaging research at UCL by transforming current practices in collaboration with diverse communities.'

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We focus on inequities arising across the fNIRS research cycle (including recruitment, experiment preparation, data collection, data analysis and data reporting) that disproportionately exclude participants with darker skin and tighter hair curl patterns. These physical characteristics are more prevalent in global-majority populations, resulting in systemic under-representation and marginalisation in neuroscientific research. 

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These inequities are driven by longstanding attitudes, technical challenges and exclusionary practices in fNIRS related to the optical properties of fNIRS and its interaction with, melanin and hair type, density, volume and styles. Addressing these technological and systemic barriers is essential for ensuring both equitable access to participation and more inclusive and representative neuroscience data.

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Our project has begun by reviewing and improving our local fNIRS research practices at UCL, with the goal of establishing co-created guidelines and resources with community members and fNIRS researchers that can be shared nationally and internationally.

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The project was launched under the funding of University College London (UCL)'s Grand Challenges special initiatives grant (2024/25). The 2024/25 grant focused on 'Decolonising Research Methodologies and Practices at UCL.' This work was also funded by Wellcome through a Sir Henry Wellcome Postdoctoral Fellowship awarded to Dr Carly Anderson [Grant number 221612/Z/20/Z]. The work was also supported by a generous fNIRS equipment loan from NIRx Medical Technologies (NIRx Medizintechnik GmbH).