Advancing Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in Clinical Trials

forthcoming

“Advancing Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in Clinical Trials” (EDICT) establishes an innovative Doctoral Network to transform how equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) principles are embedded in clinical trials across Europe. While clinical trials are essential for advancing medical knowledge, systematic exclusion of diverse populations undermines scientific validity and limits healthcare impact. EDICT will train the next generation of research leaders, equipped with specialised methodological expertise and practical skills to transform how clinical trials are designed and conducted, ensuring meaningful representation of diverse populations. Leveraging expertise from multiple sectors—including academia, the pharmaceutical and MedTech industries, patient advocacy, regulatory bodies, trial networks, science communication, and evidence production—EDICT will support 16 (14 EU; 2 Swiss) doctoral candidates in developing solutions that enhance recruitment, improve data inclusivity, and ensure that trial outcomes are representative of broader population needs. The network will deliver concrete EDI innovations, including standardised metrics for measuring trial diversity, AI-powered tools for detecting recruitment bias, culturally-adapted consent processes, and implementation frameworks. These outputs will transform how EDI is implemented across the clinical trials ecosystem. Through structured mobility between interdisciplinary academic, industry and policy environments, doctoral candidates will develop comprehensive expertise across four key domains: standardised measurement of trial diversity, innovative EDI methodologies, practical implementation tools, and frameworks for systemic change. EDICT will establish a permanent network of EDI champions, driving sustainable improvement in clinical trial inclusivity while advancing Europe's capacity to conduct equitable, representative, and scientifically robust health research.