The ‘Black in Biomedical Research’ Advisory Group (BBRAG) brings together academics, researchers and practitioners from Black heritage backgrounds spanning across the UK biomedical research sector. The core purpose of the group is to help shape the delivery of the MRC ‘Black in Biomedical Research’ project (see under project subheading).
It was formed in response to:
- the sustained underrepresentation of researchers from Black heritage backgrounds across MRC funding portfolios, within the staff population, and more broadly across the biomedical sciences
- increased understanding around how the research environment and culture impacts on the experiences and progression of researchers from some minority ethnic backgrounds
- the development of race equity strategies, initiatives, and networks arising across various organisations, higher education institutions and funding bodies in the UK (many focusing in particular on Black heritage communities) calling for action
What does BBRAG do?
The aims of the group are to:
- advise MRC on equality and diversity-related issues faced by people from Black heritage communities in achieving their potential in the biomedical sciences
- enhance MRC understanding of activities within the broader landscape and how we can work effectively within a complex landscape of activity
- offer strategic advice to support the development of evidence-based actions, determining what challenges to prioritise and identify areas where MRC is uniquely placed to support change across the wider biomedical sciences
- catalyse new collaborative partnerships to help deliver the project objectives, alerting us to new and emerging areas or opportunities and helping to identify new stakeholders we might work with from across the sector
- provide a powerful advocacy voice on inclusive and equitable practices across MRC and the biomedical research and innovation sector, as part of race equity focused work
- help facilitate two-way communication between MRC and the broader research community
BBRAG holds quarterly three-hour meetings. The first meeting was held in March 2023.
Membership
- Professor Bernadine Idowu, University of West London, co-Chair of BBRAG
- Professor Franklin Aigbirhio, University of Cambridge, co-Chair of BBRAG
- Tomi Akingbade, PhD Student, University of Cambridge, Deputy Chair of BBRAG and founder of the Black Women in Science Network
- Professor Adewale Adebajo, The University of Sheffield
- Afua Acheampong, EDI Manager, Queen Mary University
- Professor Amaka Offiah, The University of Sheffield
- Dr Anna Hood, Lecturer in Psychology, The University of Manchester
- Dr Dayne Beccano-Kelly, UKRI research fellow and Dementia Research Institute Group leader, Cardiff University
- Dr Donald Palmer, Associate Professor at the Royal Veterinary College, University of London
- Dr Emmanuel Adukwu, Deputy Head of the School of Applied Sciences, University of the West of England, Bristol
- Dr Melanie Etti, Medical Doctor and Academic Clinical Fellow, University of Oxford
- Dr Michael Sulu, Lecturer in Biochemical Engineering, UCL
- Dr Michelle Peter, Senior Social Scientist, North Thames Genomic Laboratory Hub and Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust
- Dr Ruby Zelzer, Consultant and independent scientist, Nottingham
- Dr Sope Wolffs, Clinical Trials Manager, Cardiff University
- Dr Tamara Mulenga Willows, Academic Clinical Fellow, Queen Mary University of London
Ask a question about BBRAG
Email: blackinbiomed@mrc.ukri.org
Last updated: 30 September 2024