2 Social Enquiry in Research 2.1. Social Enquiry and relevance of research for the future 2.2. Equity, Justice, Inclusivity 2.3. Purpose of Social and Common Good 2.4. Research Ethics, Social Responsibility, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2

2 Social Enquiry in Research
2.1. Social Enquiry and relevance of research for the future
2.2. Equity, Justice, Inclusivity
2.3. Purpose of Social and Common Good
2.4. Research Ethics, Social Responsibility, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2

1. Social Enquiry in
Research: Building a Just
and Sustainable Future
Exploring how research can transform society through equity, justice, and
purposeful innovation for generations to come.

2. Understanding Social Enquiry: What Makes Research Socially Relevant?
The Essence of Social Enquiry
Social enquiry represents a systematic investigation into the human condition, examining how societies function, evolve,
and address collective challenges. It bridges the gap between academic pursuit and real-world impact.
Research becomes socially relevant when it addresses pressing societal needs, gives voice to marginalised communities,
and produces actionable knowledge that can drive positive change.

3. The Future-Forward Lens: How
Research Shapes Tomorrow's Society
Research serves as a powerful tool for anticipating and shaping our collective future. By examining current trends,
challenges, and opportunities, researchers illuminate pathways towards more sustainable and equitable societies.
Anticipating Challenges
Identifying emerging social, environmental, and technological issues before they become crises, enabling
proactive rather than reactive responses.
Innovating Solutions
Developing evidence-based interventions and policies that address complex societal problems with
creativity and rigour.
Building Resilience
Strengthening communities' capacity to adapt and thrive amidst change, uncertainty, and disruption
through informed decision-making.
Creating Legacy
Ensuring our research contributions leave a positive, lasting impact for future generations to build
upon and benefit from.

4. Equity in Research: Ensuring Fair Representation and Access
Breaking Down Barriers
Research equity demands that all communities—regardless of socioeconomic status, geography, caste, gender, or ability—have equal
opportunities to participate in, contribute to, and benefit from research endeavours.
True equity requires actively dismantling systemic barriers that have historically excluded marginalised voices from the research process.
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5. Justice as a Research Imperative:
Addressing Systemic Inequalities
Research justice means confronting and transforming the power structures, biases, and inequalities
embedded within research systems themselves.
Recognising Injustice
Identifying how research has historically perpetuated discrimination, exploitation, and
knowledge extraction from vulnerable communities.
Redistributing Power
Shifting decision-making authority to include community voices in research design,
implementation, and knowledge ownership.
Repairing Harm
Actively working to address past research harms and building trust through ethical,
respectful, and reciprocal partnerships.
Justice-oriented research challenges us to question whose knowledge counts, who benefits from
research, and how we can use inquiry as a tool for liberation rather than oppression.

6. Inclusivity in Practice: Diverse Voices, Diverse Perspectives
The Strength of Diversity
Inclusive research recognises that knowledge is enriched when multiple perspectives, experiences, and ways of knowing are
valued and integrated. This means actively seeking out and centring voices that have been historically marginalised.
Amplifying Marginalised Voices
Creating platforms for Dalit communities, indigenous groups,
LGBTQIA+ individuals, persons with disabilities, and other
Honouring Multiple Epistemologies
Recognising the validity of traditional knowledge systems,
indigenous wisdom, and non-Western ways of understanding the
Building Participatory Partnerships
Engaging communities as co-researchers and knowledge creators
rather than merely as subjects or data sources, fostering genuine

7. Research for the Common Good: Beyond Academic Excellence
Public Value Creation
Research must extend beyond citations and publications to create tangible benefits for society—
improving health outcomes, strengthening education, protecting the environment, and enhancing
quality of life for all.
Knowledge as a Public Resource
Treating research findings as public goods that should be freely accessible, understandable, and
usable by policymakers, practitioners, and communities rather than locked behind paywalls.
1Identify Community Needs
Through genuine dialogue and needs assessment
2 Co-Design Research
With community input and partnership
3Conduct Ethical Inquiry
With respect and cultural sensitivity
4 Share Knowledge
In accessible, actionable formats
5Support Implementation
For lasting community impact

8. Serving Society: Research That Creates Real-World
Impact
From Insight to Action
Socially purposeful research bridges the gap between discovery and application. It transforms academic insights
into practical interventions that address pressing challenges—from climate adaptation strategies to healthcare
innovations to educational reforms.
Key Impact
Pathways
Informing evidence-based policy and programme design
Empowering communities with actionable knowledge
Training the next generation of socially conscious researchers
Building institutional capacity for sustainable change

9. Research Ethics and Social Responsibility: Our Moral
Compass
Ethical research extends far beyond obtaining informed consent. It requires a deep commitment to respecting human dignity, minimising harm, ensuring
confidentiality, and maintaining integrity throughout the research process.
Protecting Participants
Safeguarding the safety, privacy, and wellbeing of research participants,
especially vulnerable populations, through robust ethical protocols and
ongoing risk assessment.
Transparency and
Integrity
Maintaining honesty in data collection, analysis, and reporting whilst
acknowledging limitations, conflicts of interest, and potential biases in
research.
Cultural Sensitivity
Respecting diverse cultural values, traditions, and knowledge systems whilst
adapting research approaches to honour local contexts and social norms.
Environmental
Stewardship
Considering the environmental impact of research activities and striving to
minimise ecological harm whilst contributing to sustainability goals.

10. Aligning Research with the Sustainable Development Goals:
A Path Forward
The United Nations' 17 Sustainable Development Goals provide a comprehensive framework for addressing humanity's most pressing challenges. Research aligned with the
SDGs contributes to building a more just, equitable, and sustainable world by 2030.
Quality Education (SDG
4)
Research on inclusive pedagogy, digital
learning, and educational equity for all
Gender Equality (SDG
5)
Studies addressing gender
discrimination, women's empowerment,
and inclusive policies
Clean Water (SDG
6)
Innovations in water purification,
sanitation systems, and resource
management
Climate Action (SDG
13)
Research on climate adaptation,
mitigation strategies, and resilient
communities
Our Collective
Responsibility
As researchers, we have both the privilege and the responsibility to ensure our work contributes to a more just, inclusive, and sustainable future. By centring equity,
justice, and social purpose in our enquiry, we can help build the world we wish to see.

11. THANK YOU