EQUAL
Enhancing Qualitative Health Psychology with AI
About EQUAL
The Enhancing QUALitative health psychology with AI (EQUAL) network is a newly established initiative designed to formally bring together researchers to advance the use of artificial intelligence in qualitative health psychology research. EQUAL was funded by an EHPS Innovative Initiatives grant. Its core objectives are to:
Share expertise and identify best practice methods for integrating AI into qualitative research.
Identify knowledge and evidence gaps to set a future research agenda.
Examine key ethical, theoretical and scientific boundaries and practices.
Collaboratively write a position article based on the network outcomes.
Identify training needs, develop resources that provide and signpost to relevant training and materials.
Plan future network and research funding to sustain and extend the work.
Why the Network Is Needed
Although AI offers significant potential benefits for qualitative research, most researchers lack the skills, knowledge, and guidance needed to use these tools safely and reliably. AI models may also overlook minority perspectives because they tend to generalise from training data, highlighting the need for participatory, user centred approaches to ensure ethical and responsible use. Key ethical, theoretical and scientific questions remain unresolved, yet the easy availability of AI means researchers are already using these tools without adequate evidence or best practice frameworks.
Planned Activities
Network meetings to develop shared understanding, produce outputs and advance objectives.
Development of training materials, a YouTube channel and a resource map showcasing tools, case examples and critical guidance.
Delivery of an EHPS pre conference workshop on using AI in qualitative research.
Preparation of a position paper for the use of AI in health psychology qualitative research.
Liaison with other relevant networks, with potential creation of an EHPS Special Interest Group (SIG).
Contact us
If you’d like to join the network, stay updated, or hear about future opportunities to get involved, please contact Felix Naughton (f.naughton@uea.ac.uk).