GOsC to co-fund research into equality, diversity and inclusion in osteopathic training

The research will explore and describe the educational experiences of minority groups within their osteopathic educational providers.

It will present recommendations to enhance awareness of the barriers to equality and diversity and improve student experience and attainment, as well as the challenges faced by students in underrepresented groups across the profession and educational providers.

Dr Bill Gunnyeon, Chair of GOsC Council, said: ‘We are very pleased to be able to help fund this important piece of research as a part of our ongoing commitment to improving Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI). Inclusivity in undergraduate osteopathic education is an important focus for Council and we look forward to the outcome of this research and to considering how it might help shape our future regulatory approach’.

GOsC is funding the research alongside the Osteopathic Foundation, the University College of Osteopathy (UCO), and the professional membership body, the Institute of Osteopathy.

The research project will be managed by Dr Jerry Draper-Rodi, Senior Research Fellow at the UCO and newly appointed director of the National Council for Osteopathic Research. The research will be split over four phases beginning in September and concluding in October 2022. The results will be shared with the osteopathic educational providers, professional organisations and the profession.

You can read more about the GOsC’s commitment to EDI which is set out in our new draft Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Framework for 2021-24.

^{This news story was amended on 14 July 2021 to reflect an update to the agreed funders}