Unheard Voices.

Unheard Voices.Unheard Voices.Unheard Voices.

Exploring the views of those less heard to make research a more inclusive space.

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About

Unheard Voices is a research initiative dedicated to advancing knowledge through inclusive research practices. 


By creating a space for people from underrepresented communities to have their say on the issues that matter to them, our aim is to make the field of healthcare research an open and welcoming place. 


We know the value of diversity of thought and experience.


Bringing unheard voices to the fore is necessary for making sure that research can be translated into equitable and culturally sensitive care and support.

Dr Michelle Peter, is the social scientist and researcher behind Unheard Voices. Working within the genomics research team at Great Ormond Street Hospital and the UCL Institute of Child Health, she is on a mission to make a difference. 


With research experience spanning over a decade, she is committed to working within arenas that address racial health inequalities, particularly in maternal health. She is co-author of the largest study on Black women's experiences of UK maternity care - the Five x More Black Maternity Experiences Report, a peer reviewer for Tommy's, the pregnancy charity, where she has reviewed their research centre's activities through a health inequalities lens, and a trustee at Bliss, where she inputs on the neonatal charity's activities that centre on achieving equity in neonatal care.


An advocate for equity across academic spaces and within healthcare services, she is keen to highlight the importance of representation within research studies. This, she believes, is fundamental for ensuring that cultural, social and personal values are considered in how health services are designed and offered.


She was recently awarded fellowship funding from THIS Institute and currently leads on a project exploring the views and experiences of Black women who have been offered prenatal screening and genetic testing in pregnancy.

check out our projects

Collaboration is integral to the ethos of Unheard Voices. 


Partnering with people and organisations who are trusted and embedded within their communities not only allows the leveraging of local expertise but means that networks are built from the inside out, helping to bridge the gap between researchers and community members. 


Together we can make a bigger impact than we can alone.

Research projects

Black women's experiences of prenatal screening and testing

Black and South Asian women's views on genetic testing in pregnancy: a PPIE pilot

Black and South Asian women's views on genetic testing in pregnancy: a PPIE pilot

This project runs until July 2026 and will explore the views and experiences of Black women who have been offered prenatal testing, with the aims of improving our understanding of care and support needs as well as adding the voices of Black communities to the work in this area.

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Black and South Asian women's views on genetic testing in pregnancy: a PPIE pilot

Black and South Asian women's views on genetic testing in pregnancy: a PPIE pilot

Black and South Asian women's views on genetic testing in pregnancy: a PPIE pilot

This patient and public involvement and engagement project brought together the views   of women from Black and South Asian communities to gain better insight into their attitudes towards prenatal testing.

LEARN MORE

Black women's experiences of prenatal screening and testing

What we know

Why this project is needed

Why this project is needed

Women from Black communities are often not included in maternal health research studies. 


This means that we know little about their experiences of maternity care – especially their experiences of the genetic tests that are offered to them in pregnancy.  

Why this project is needed

Why this project is needed

Why this project is needed

Prenatal genetic tests can provide parents with important information about the health of their baby but they can also have emotional and psychological impacts for parents.  


By listening to Black women and their families and to the professionals who care for them during pregnancy, we can better understand what information and support is needed when prenatal tests are offered. 

How to get involved

Why this project is needed

How to get involved

Dr Michelle Peter will be interviewing parents and professionals to understand their views and experiences of prenatal testing. 


If you:

  • Are a parent of Black or mixed Black heritage


  • Have been offered genetic testing in pregnancy within the last 5 years (e.g., NIPT/ amniocentesis) 


  • Would like to take part in an interview about your experiences and receive a £25 voucher for your time...


Get in touch with Michelle by clicking the link below!

Get in touch

Black and South Asian women's views on prenatal testing

With funding awarded by the NIHR Biomedical Research Council, Dr Michelle Peter carried out a series of group discussions where she brought together the views of parents from Black and South Asian communities to gain better insight into their attitudes towards genetic testing in pregnancy.

Find out more

Get in touch...

For more information or to get involved in a research project, email Michelle:

michelle.lowe@gosh.nhs.uk

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