BRC team granted University of Birmingham ASPIRE award to advance race inclusivity in research

The National Institute of Health and Care Research (NIHR) Birmingham Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) and Clinical Research Facility (CRF) have been jointly granted an Access to Success Pathways for Inclusive Research (ASPIRE) award from the University of Birmingham. Our awarded research project, titled “Enhancing staff data collection and analysis to foster race inclusivity”, is looking to improve our understanding of the challenges faced by racially minoritised staff to progress in their career.

“Our ultimate aim is to create a more inclusive and equitable environment, not only within the University of Birmingham but also across the wider research community.”

Freen Mehdi, Research Inclusion Manager, NIHR Birmingham Biomedical Research Centre

The University of Birmingham’s ASPIRE awards provide funding to both academic and professional services staff to collaborate with partner organisations on trialling approaches to advancing race inclusivity in research.

As part of our project we will conduct face-to-face focus groups, empowering staff to share their insights in a supportive environment and enabling them to shape what and how information is collected about them. By enhancing staff data collection, we aim to improve our understanding of the barriers in career progression faced by minoritised groups, as well as our ability to measure the impact of any support mechanisms aimed at reducing these barriers.

The project team includes Dr Dhruv Parekh, Director of the NIHR/Wellcome Birmingham Clinical Research Facility and Medical Director of Research and Innovation at University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Freen Mehdi, Research Inclusion Manager, Dr Ameeta Retzer, Associate Professor at the University of Birmingham’s Centre for Evidence and Implementation Science and Dr Victoria Day, Head of our Birmingham BRC.

Freen Mehdi said: “This project will allow us to identify and address the barriers that racially minoritised staff encounter in their career progression. By collecting and analysing comprehensive data, we can develop targeted strategies to support these staff members more effectively.

“Our ultimate aim is to create a more inclusive and equitable environment, not only within the University of Birmingham but also across the wider research community. This award enables us to take significant steps towards achieving these outcomes, ensuring that our efforts are grounded in evidence and have a lasting impact on reducing inequalities.”