iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Ikhlaq Jacob @ikhlaqjacob.bsky.social · 08/11/2025

“One reason for the poverty of ethnographic research in this area might simply be the difficulties of access”.

Ikhlaq Jacob @ikhlaqjacob.bsky.social · 07/11/2025

All the visits I made to towns and cities over decades, people never asked whether I authored a paper or even a book (and rightly so). They were interested in me as a individual, this was the start of the trust and genuine rapport building.

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Ikhlaq Jacob @ikhlaqjacob.bsky.social · 28/10/2025

I spoke to over 800 local people, groups and diverse communities: the ‘hard to reach’ for the INCLUDE Study in Bradford and Leeds during the summers of 2024/25. Thank you everyone. @auasresearch.bsky.social

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Ikhlaq Jacob @ikhlaqjacob.bsky.social · 27/10/2025

Gatekeepers are an invaluable source of help I have engaged with them in Bradford, Birmingham, Keighley, Leeds, Leicester, London, Manchester, Sheffield, Slough and elsewhere for decades. And the very many diverse groups and communities. Engagement is longitudinal. Thank you.

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Ikhlaq Jacob @ikhlaqjacob.bsky.social · 20/10/2025

From my decades (not just 3 years) of experience of health and social research with the British South Asian and Black/Caribbean communities. Shared decision making has always been an ethical dilemma in research yet overlooked. (Ikhlaq Jacob)

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Ikhlaq Jacob @ikhlaqjacob.bsky.social · 04/10/2025

For many British South Asians health terms can be fluid where language and words are used interchangeably. There are many examples: ‘old’ age, weakness, obesity, frailty, fatigue or disability are context and culturally depended when used in health-related terminology.

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Ikhlaq Jacob @ikhlaqjacob.bsky.social · 01/10/2025

My earlier work showed that many older South Asians were using shopping to get exercise or by walking to their place of worship. Most were living in multi-generational households and getting out of the house for fresh air was important for their mental well-being.

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Ikhlaq Jacob @ikhlaqjacob.bsky.social · 29/09/2025

It’s not about joining in a game of football but it’s joining in with the local community.

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Ikhlaq Jacob @ikhlaqjacob.bsky.social · 28/09/2025

Encouraging older South Asians in Bradford to ‘get up and move’ or to get in extra steps during the day, for example going out shopping. For those mobility issues suggesting chair exercises. Need to be culturally and community focussed.

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Ikhlaq Jacob @ikhlaqjacob.bsky.social · 26/09/2025

Cultural Context: Words, meanings and understandings can be lost in translation. It’s the question we ask but also how the person on the other side understands it.

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Ikhlaq Jacob @ikhlaqjacob.bsky.social · 14/09/2025

Are we talking about the same words? British Pakistanis who speak Potwari (dialect) the lack of standardised vocabulary complicates translation and meanings. For example, when ‘frailty’ or ‘obesity’ are used the researcher needs to be aware of the nuances of the local dialect.

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Ikhlaq Jacob @ikhlaqjacob.bsky.social · 13/09/2025

Lost in translation: ‘Frailty’ means ‘kamazori’ in Potwari but it can mean different things. It’s contextual for British Pakistanis for example, a person can be kamazor due to hearing impairment, having pain or related to mobility (part 2/2).

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Ikhlaq Jacob @ikhlaqjacob.bsky.social · 12/09/2025

Most British Pakistanis speak Potwari/Punjabi but the dialect has little consistency in the meaning of words, it’s an unwritten vocabulary. The words are lost in translation for example, ‘frailty’ is context dependent and has many different meanings (part 1/2).

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Ikhlaq Jacob @ikhlaqjacob.bsky.social · 11/09/2025

Cross-cultural interviews are difficult to undertake the meaning of words can be lost in translation making thematic analysis more difficult. For example, ‘family’ in the Western sense often means ‘nuclear’ but among British Asians often means the ‘extended family’.

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Ikhlaq Jacob @ikhlaqjacob.bsky.social · 09/09/2025

Informed Consent: It’s a Dynamic Process: In research communal decision making can override individual autonomy especially when participants are non-English speakers the family will check if the research is suitable. It’s often a collective shared decision.

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Ikhlaq Jacob @ikhlaqjacob.bsky.social · 03/09/2025

The Missing Link? Diverse audiences can interpret research in different ways or they can ignore it if it does not take into account local needs, their cultural beliefs or their lived experiences. Research in the Community (Ikhlaq Jacob).

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Ikhlaq Jacob @ikhlaqjacob.bsky.social · 17/08/2025

A BIG THANK YOU! Last year I spoke to more than 500 people in Bradford working on the Include Study. I visited diverse communities: Indian, Pakistani and the Bangladeshi, visiting Temples, Gurdwaras, Churches, mosques, community centres and many diverse groups. Thank you.

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Ikhlaq Jacob @ikhlaqjacob.bsky.social · 04/08/2025

Research is about connections about creating dialogue in the community and that’s important because it’s in the community that you get an opportunity to hear the rich tapestry of narratives. “When I’m out there is no me and them it’s all of us”.

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Ikhlaq Jacob @ikhlaqjacob.bsky.social · 31/07/2025

We rarely say …. Thank you to the hundreds of charities and centres around the UK for helping people in need: The list is not endless. @beatedsupport.bsky.social @charitycomms.bsky.social @samaritans.bsky.social @thebhf.bsky.social @familyfund.bsky.social

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Ikhlaq Jacob @ikhlaqjacob.bsky.social · 28/07/2025

Health Misinformation can lead to British South Asian people turning to alternative or herbal medicine remedies. This poses a health risk.

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Ikhlaq Jacob @ikhlaqjacob.bsky.social · 26/07/2025

Health misinformation was spreading amongst South Asian communities as fast as Covid-19. This had serious consequences for individuals, families and communities especially at a time when the Government was trying to protect the country.

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Ikhlaq Jacob @ikhlaqjacob.bsky.social · 26/07/2025

Rapport with research participants? Why this is so important: It starts as a ‘simple’ dialogue between the researcher and the participant, then comes a connection leading to trust. It’s a process. And trust is crucial.

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Ikhlaq Jacob @ikhlaqjacob.bsky.social · 20/07/2025

Researchers should never underestimate the power of listening to the participant in a non-judgmental way to what is being said. The interview should flow naturally rather than a question and answer session. The participant is looking for a connection to their story.

listening.to

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Ikhlaq Jacob @ikhlaqjacob.bsky.social · 16/07/2025

Was there any doubt? There was only one 007…

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Ikhlaq Jacob @ikhlaqjacob.bsky.social · 08/07/2025

Alternative or herbal medicine is commonly used among South Asian people in the UK for conditions such as diabetes and blood pressure. Anecdotal evidence can often override medical advice.

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Ikhlaq Jacob @ikhlaqjacob.bsky.social · 18/06/2025

Let me introduce you to a Bradford icon Barry the ‘Birdman’ reaching out with a hand of friendship. Research is about making connections with individuals and communities.

If you look at the bottom of the photo you will see a pigeon looking up to the ‘Birdman’

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Ikhlaq Jacob @ikhlaqjacob.bsky.social · 12/06/2025

As part of the Dying Matters Week I took the palliative nursing team from Bradford Royal Infirmary (Paul, Selma and our senior research fellow Zuneera) to a local community centre holding thought provoking discussions about dying. Thank you to Saqib.

I also visited the centre in early February to hold discussions about the Assisted Dying Bill.

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Ikhlaq Jacob @ikhlaqjacob.bsky.social · 21/05/2025

Another day another visit. Thanks again Sharan from the wonderful Gurdwara in Barkerend, Bradford. BIG SHOUT OUT to @auasresearch.bsky.social for allowing me the time to engage with groups and communities. 👍

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Ikhlaq Jacob @ikhlaqjacob.bsky.social · 09/05/2025

Fantastic pictures taken by Sharan showing some ladies knitting whilst listening to me talking about research and how they can help. Everyone Matters in Research.

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Ikhlaq Jacob @ikhlaqjacob.bsky.social · 09/05/2025

Thank you Sharan for allowing me to talk about research to your Asian Ladies Group. Engagement with local groups builds the foundations for research in the community.

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Ikhlaq Jacob @ikhlaqjacob.bsky.social · 08/05/2025

Researchers who recruit will inevitably get ‘refusals’ just understand that it is not personal you don’t know what the person is going through on that particular day.

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Ikhlaq Jacob @ikhlaqjacob.bsky.social · 30/04/2025

Rain, snow or sunshine going out in the community this time visiting a Gurdwara in Thornbury, Bradford thank you Sharan for the invite. Discussing the benefits of taking part in research.

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Ikhlaq Jacob @ikhlaqjacob.bsky.social · 16/04/2025

It’s Me Again! Taking research into the community. Thank you to Mr Saqib and Mr Zulfiqar for allowing me to hold discussion groups and dissemination activities on research studies including: Assisted dying, pain and digital inclusion over the past few months.

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Ikhlaq Jacob @ikhlaqjacob.bsky.social · 03/04/2025

Meet the fantastic NHS Talking Therapies Team doing great work in the community offering guidance and help in relation to depression, low mood and stress. “Making communities healthier through research and NHS services”.

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Ikhlaq Jacob @ikhlaqjacob.bsky.social · 30/03/2025

Stephen from the Falls Prevention Team putting him in touch with community organisations whose attendees would greatly benefit from his advice. “Stronger Together in Research”.

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Ikhlaq Jacob @ikhlaqjacob.bsky.social · 30/03/2025

Research is our hope for the future generations to minimise illnesses and to find cures.

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Ikhlaq Jacob @ikhlaqjacob.bsky.social · 25/03/2025

The Boss provided the soundtrack whilst growing up in the backstreets of a Yorkshire town.

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Ikhlaq Jacob @ikhlaqjacob.bsky.social · 19/03/2025

Having spoken to thousands of people for purposes of research nothing beats face to face engagement it’s way of introducing oneself and starting a dialogue.

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Ikhlaq Jacob @ikhlaqjacob.bsky.social · 18/03/2025

Reaching out to the community. I was welcomed by the Bangladeshi Youth Organisation (BYO) by Mr Fazlul Haq (Centre Manager) and Salma (Project Manager) I joined the elderly ladies session to complete questionnaires with the help of Salma. Thank you BYO!

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Ikhlaq Jacob @ikhlaqjacob.bsky.social · 18/03/2025

Research has enormous benefits, however these benefits have to be understood by communities.

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Ikhlaq Jacob @ikhlaqjacob.bsky.social · 17/03/2025

Thank you to Michelle (Manager) at St. Paul’s Church for allowing me to talk to your attendees over a number of weeks for the INCLUDE Study. The cake was delicious! Our partner in community research. Reaching out to the ‘hard to reach’ to increase inclusivity.

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Ikhlaq Jacob @ikhlaqjacob.bsky.social · 08/03/2025

Engagement is about ensuring that people in the community are central to all research. Visiting the Men’s Group in Manningham, Bradford. Thank you Phil and all the attendees.

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Ikhlaq Jacob @ikhlaqjacob.bsky.social · 01/03/2025

On my frequent visits into the community: I met the fantastic Usman and Richard our Neighbourhood Wardens based at Manningham Police Station.

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Ikhlaq Jacob @ikhlaqjacob.bsky.social · 27/02/2025

I gave up on the pool and thought I’ll try my hand at table tennis instead… the real star was Phil!

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Ikhlaq Jacob @ikhlaqjacob.bsky.social · 27/02/2025

Thank you Phil for allowing me to join the CoPE group. They were interested in the research I am involved in at @auasresearch.bsky.social whilst enjoying a fun game of pool and my many missed shots!

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Ikhlaq Jacob @ikhlaqjacob.bsky.social · 24/02/2025

Informal Engagement with the Community: Meeting participants in a environment where they feel comfortable.Thank you to the Men’s Group!

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Ikhlaq Jacob @ikhlaqjacob.bsky.social · 11/02/2025

Mrs Qureshi runs the Elderly Day Centre providing invaluable help on studies such as: Clinical Trials, blood pressure, pain, carers, older people, studies around disability, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and the INCLUDE Study. Thank you and your attendees.

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Ikhlaq Jacob @ikhlaqjacob.bsky.social · 11/02/2025

‘One size does not fit all’: We need to examine the enablers and the barriers to research to understand why people refuse to take part in research. The methodology used is important. #healthresearch #socialresearch #research #groundedtheory #researchmethodology

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