By bringing together diverse perspectives, the INCLUDE Centre aims to address societal challenges and promote sustainable, inclusive practices that benefit everyone. 

At INCLUDE, inclusion is understood as a commitment to non-discrimination and the promotion of equal opportunities for all individuals, regardless of their ethnicity, gender identity, age, (dis)ability, background, economic and social status, or specific needs. We embrace a vision of societies where diversity is celebrated, barriers are eliminated, and everyone has access to opportunities and resources that empower them to thrive.

Achieving meaningful inclusion requires effort on multiple fronts including research, innovation, advocacy, and collaboration across various domains and a range of interconnected areas.

The specific objectives of the INCLUDE Centre are to:

• Form a strong platform for multidisciplinary research on inclusion. 
• Create inspiring forums for exchange of ideas, collaborative publications, development of joint applications, and organising various meetings and events such as Europe-based or international symposia.
• Act as a resource centre providing research-based expertise.
• Provide a lab for haptic communication enabling alternative communication modalities beyond audio-visual.
• Support the continued collaborative efforts in the broad network already established comprising interested individuals, researchers, technologists, national and international organisations and agencies dealing with issues of disability and other interest groups.
• Support and uphold collaborative efforts within the already established network of interested individuals, researchers, technologists, national and international organisations and agencies dealing with issues of inclusion in different contexts and interest groups.
• Enhance awareness and advocacy through public and institutional engagements advocating for systemic change and non-discriminatory practices.
• Engage actively with marginalised communities, ensuring their voices are central in shaping research and solutions.

Research

Research within the centre is interdisciplinary and typically informed by a diverse set of theoretical and methodological approaches that enable critical examination of cultural, historical, sociotechnical, political, and economic values, actions and structures that lead to unequal treatments of societal members. These do not involve studies of group attributes (whether related to ethnicity, identity, functional ability or the like), but rather the social conditions at the root of such attributes becoming a differentiating factor in how persons are treated. The aim is to unpack established norms, values and attitudes; to question outdated views and shape improved understandings; and to promote and enable social change where needed.

Innovation

Innovation  developed within the centre (whether technological or social) is focused on removing barriers to inclusion, participation, and accessibility in different contexts, addressing challenges faced in daily life based on lived experiences.

Policy

Policy studies and recommendations are an integral part of the centre’s activities with the aim to better understand the implications and potential shortcomings of existing policies, to bridge potential gaps, and to work towards improvements at local, national and international levels.

Activities

Activities in the INCLUDE centre are organised to support a strong network of interested parties including people with disabilities, researchers, technologists, policy and decision makers, national and international agencies, interest groups, and the general public. The centre organises various events, such as participatory workshops and symposia, and calls together members of the network for two standing meetings each semester. The network is expanded and strengthened through various joint ventures and participation in related activities. Members join as either full or associated members. If you or your organisation wish to become a member, contact the directors of the centre, Nasrine Olson or Veronica Johansson Sydqvist.

Outcome

Outcomes of the centre’s activities are documented, and, where appropriate, published for broader access. These and further engagement activities are employed to raise awareness and build a broader community of interest.