Driving race inclusivity through data: Birmingham BRC hosts collaborative event

On 11 December 2025, the NIHR Birmingham Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) brought together researchers, HR and equality, diversity and inclusion leaders, and inclusion advocates for a thought-provoking event focused on advancing race inclusivity across research environments. 

The event showcased findings from our recent research project: “Enhancing staff data collection and analysis to foster race inclusivity”, which was conducted alongside colleagues from the NIHR/Wellcome Birmingham Clinical Research Facility. 

Funded through the University of Birmingham’s Access to Success Pathways for Inclusive Research Excellence (ASPIRE) scheme, this study explored why racially minoritised staff may hesitate to share demographic data and complete staff surveys, and how these behaviours can influence career progression.  

Through six focus groups with 27 participants from the University of Birmingham and University Hospitals Birmingham (UHB) NHS Foundation Trust, the research team explored key challenges including concerns about anonymity, fear of repercussions, and barriers created by survey design. 

The day featured: 

• Opening remarks from research team members Freen Mehdi (BRC Research Inclusion Manager), Dr Dhruv Parekh (Director of the NIHR/Wellcome Birmingham Clinical Research Facility) and Dr Victoria Day (Head of BRC Infrastructure) 

• An introduction to the ASPIRE programme by Olivia Barfi (Communications & Administration Officer, ASPIRE) and Kally Bhartti (ASPIRE Programme Manager) 

• A deep dive into the study findings by Freen Mehdi 

• A workshop session on the study recommendations 

• Inspirational talks from Joanne Plumb (Director of Research Development and Innovation at UHB) and Professor Yemisi Takwoingi (Head of the Department of Applied Health Sciences at the University of Birmingham and co-lead of the NIHR Race Equity and Diversity in Careers Incubator) 

• Insights on staff surveys from University of Birmingham’s Helen Warwood (Head of HR, Executive Support) and Monique Myers (Director of Employee Equality, Inclusion and Wellbeing), and UHB’s Eleni Harvey (Head of Staff) 

Moving forward 

At the event, we reflected on the importance of turning discussion into meaningful action. We explored practical steps to address the challenges faced by racially minoritised staff and committed to working collaboratively with our partners to drive change. Once our findings are published, we aim to use them as a foundation for implementing initiatives that make a real difference across our partner organisations. 

Freen Mehdi, Research Inclusion Manager at the Birmingham BRC, said: 
“Collecting diversity data from racially minoritised staff isn’t just about numbers – it’s about staff voice and creating a safe platform for people to share their views. It is imperative to understand ways we can make improvements to ensure we continue to foster an environment where everyone feels that they belong.  

Our research shows that staff want to see transparency and real action. This event was an important step in working together to create an inclusive research culture hearing from all voices.”