Piloting the NIHR Race Equality Framework (REF) 

The NIHR Birmingham Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) played a leading role in Birmingham’s contribution to the pilot of the NIHR Race Equality Framework (REF), an initiative designed to help organisations assess and improve race equity across research and research delivery. Bringing together representatives from NIHR infrastructure, NHS and university partners, patient contributors and external experts, the pilot led to the establishment of a multidisciplinary Self-Assessment Oversight Team (SOAT) with a shared commitment to advancing race equity.

A key outcome has been the development of a lasting partnership that will continue beyond the pilot, with a focus on embedding sustainable culture change across our institutions. The pilot highlighted the need for greater investment in race education and the development of racial humility and intelligence among research leaders and staff. In response, partners are co-producing a new development programme, beginning with senior leaders to ensure that change is visibly modelled and championed from the top. By fostering a more equitable and inclusive research culture, the BRC aims to improve the quality, relevance and impact of research, particularly for underserved communities that have historically been underrepresented in health research.

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic exposed significant inequalities in health outcomes and highlighted the importance of ensuring that research reflects the diversity of the populations it serves. Despite the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on Black and South Asian communities, relatively few early pandemic studies collected ethnicity data, reinforcing the need for more inclusive approaches to research design and delivery.

Inclusivity has been a longstanding priority for the Birmingham BRC. Through targeted public involvement and engagement activities, the BRC has increased the diversity of its Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement (PPIE) groups and strengthened its commitment to ensuring that research is representative of local communities.

Recognising that race equity is a shared responsibility, all NIHR-funded infrastructure and programmes hosted by University Hospitals Birmingham (UHB) NHS Foundation Trust participated in the pilot of the NIHR Race Equality Framework. A multidisciplinary Self-Assessment Oversight Team (SOAT) was established, chaired by the Head of Inclusion Improvement, Communication and Engagement at UHB. The group brought together representatives from NIHR programmes, university equality, diversity and inclusion teams, the local Clinical Research Network, patient partners from relevant ethnic communities and external race equity specialists from BRAP.

Using surveys, focus groups and interviews, the team reviewed performance across four key areas: individual responsibility, leadership, public partnerships, recruitment, and organisational systems and processes. Patient partners were central to every stage of the work, including sharing their experiences and presenting findings alongside staff at a national NIHR learning event.

The Birmingham BRC provided significant leadership and support throughout the pilot. BRC-funded staff coordinated delivery of the programme, BRC patient partners played a leading role in shaping the work, and the BRC funded both specialist external advice from BRAP and equality, diversity and inclusion training to support organisations participating in the pilot. The experience has laid the foundations for continued collaboration and a long-term programme of work to advance race equity across Birmingham’s research ecosystem.