Throughout June 2026, the IHI READI Project participated in a series of scientific congresses, international forums and collaborative workshops that highlighted its ongoing commitment to creating a more representative, inclusive and impactful clinical studies ecosystem across Europe. By engaging with researchers, healthcare professionals, patient organisations, ethics experts and technology leaders, READI project partners contributed to important conversations on patient engagement, research ethics, digital innovation and inclusive clinical study design.
These events represent some of the highlights from June and demonstrate how collaboration across disciplines and sectors is helping to address barriers that continue to limit participation in clinical studies, particularly for underserved and underrepresented (US/UR) populations. Through knowledge sharing and practical collaboration, READI continues to support the development of solutions that strengthen representativeness and inclusiveness across the clinical research ecosystem.
2 June | Patient Engagement Open Forum (PEOF 2026), Seville, Spain
READI project partners participated in the Patient Engagement Open Forum (PEOF 2026), an international gathering dedicated to advancing patient engagement through collaboration between patients, researchers, healthcare professionals, industry and policymakers.
During an interactive workshop, the consortium addressed one of the key challenges affecting participation in clinical studies: mistrust and limited awareness, particularly among underserved and underrepresented (US/UR) populations. Participants explored the factors that influence trust and discussed practical approaches to creating more inclusive and representative clinical studies.
Working in multidisciplinary groups, attendees co-created a lay-language trust-building tool designed to identify critical moments throughout the clinical study journey and encourage practical actions that strengthen confidence and participation. The prototype developed during the session will continue to be refined within the READI Project and will contribute to ongoing activities supporting training and implementation across diverse European settings.
The workshop brought together expertise from EUPATI, The Synergist and IPPOSI, demonstrating the value of collaboration in developing practical solutions that can support more inclusive clinical research.
3 June | 12th ANCEI Congress, Bilbao, Spain
On 3 June, READI was represented at the 12th Congress of the Spanish National Association of Research Ethics Committees (ANCEI), held in Bilbao under the theme Science, Ethics and Citizenship: the Commitment of Research Ethics Committees.
The congress provided an important opportunity to discuss ethical aspects of clinical research, including approaches to improving representativeness and inclusiveness.
María Díaz López (FISABIO) presented an oral communication highlighting strategies being developed within the IHI READI Project to improve inclusiveness in clinical research. Edison Valenzuela Cumba also presented a scientific poster examining barriers that continue to affect the participation of underserved and underrepresented populations in clinical studies.
These contributions reinforced the importance of integrating ethical considerations into study design and implementation to support clinical studies that better reflect the populations they are intended to serve.
3-5 June | IEEE CBMS 2026, Limassol, Cyprus
READI also contributed to discussions on digital innovation during the 39th IEEE International Symposium on Computer-Based Medical Systems (IEEE CBMS 2026), held in Limassol, Cyprus.
The conference brought together clinicians, researchers, engineers and digital health specialists working across artificial intelligence, biomedical systems and health data. Within the Special Track Artificial Intelligence for Inclusion, Accessibility and Well-Being of Vulnerable Populations, Elena Zotova (Vicomtech) presented the READI Project and its work to support more inclusive clinical research through innovative digital approaches.
Participation in forums such as IEEE CBMS enables READI to exchange knowledge with experts developing technologies that can help improve access to clinical studies, strengthen stakeholder engagement and support more representative clinical research across Europe.
22 June | Designing Inclusive Clinical Studies: A European Perspective (online)
On 22 June, the IHI READI Project joined the Data Science for Health Equity – Data Diversity Theme Workshop for an online discussion exploring one of today’s most significant challenges in clinical research: designing clinical studies that better reflect the populations they aim to serve.
READI project partners Bruno Jolain (Roche), Zoi-Dorothea Pana (University of Nicosia Medical School) and Salma Malik (ECRIN – European Clinical Research Infrastructure Network) shared perspectives from their work within the project and discussed practical approaches to improving participation in clinical research across Europe.
The discussion explored barriers that continue to limit participation among underserved and underrepresented populations, while highlighting practical actions that can improve representativeness, from study design and recruitment strategies to community engagement and trust-building. The workshop also reinforced the importance of collaboration between researchers, healthcare professionals, patient organisations, industry partners and other stakeholders to create lasting change across the clinical research ecosystem.
Continuing the conversation on more representative clinical research
These events represent some of the highlights from June, demonstrating the breadth of the READI Project’s engagement across Europe. Although each event focused on a different aspect of clinical research, they shared a common objective: supporting a more representative, inclusive and impactful clinical studies ecosystem.
From strengthening trust through patient engagement to advancing ethical discussions, promoting digital innovation and sharing practical approaches to inclusive study design, READI project partners continue to contribute to collaborative initiatives that can help remove barriers to participation in clinical studies.
By bringing together expertise from across Europe and engaging with diverse stakeholders, the IHI READI Project is helping to build the foundations for clinical studies that better reflect the populations they are intended to serve, ensuring that more people have the opportunity to access, participate in and benefit from health innovations.
