The Academy is a founding funder of the new Black Researcher Consortium (BRC), a new strategic approach to combat the underrepresentation of Black researchers in the UK.
Led by Black researchers and Black-led organisations and community groups, the BRC has been developed in collaboration with the Academy and seven other UK research organisations to address the current underrepresentation of Black researchers and create a more equitable and inclusive UK research landscape.
Professor David Mba FREng, representative of the Royal Academy of Engineering’s Diversity and Inclusion Committee, said: “We are delighted to join the Black Researcher Consortium (BRC) and to collaborate with Black researchers and Black-led organisations to address the underrepresentation of Black researchers in the UK. The Academy is committed to creating a truly inclusive and diverse UK engineering workforce, and we look forward to working with the BRC on this important initiative to increase the progression and retention of Black researchers.”
The BRC will focus on the progression and retention of researchers with Black heritage* by bringing organisations together to collaborate on creating an infrastructure which supercharges existing provision, specifically by:
- addressing the gaps in support for Black researchers, including opportunities for networking, mentorship, and skill development;
- enhancing access, opportunities, and training for Black researchers across academia, industry, government, and other sectors;
- serving as a resource for organisations, research institutions, and universities seeking expert advice on fostering inclusivity and diversity in research environments.
With seed funding through Elsevier Foundation and CRAC-Vitae, the BRC is collaborating with the four National Academies (Academy of Medical Sciences, British Academy, Royal Academy of Engineering and Royal Society), plus UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and Wellcome Trust. Together, their funding secures the future of the BRC until at least 2030.
An open recruitment process is now underway to identify the first Consortium Director. For more information go to https://blackresearcherconsortium.org/ or contact [email protected]
Dr Christina Guindy, the Academy's Associate Director, Research Programmes & Awards (second from right) with other representatives of the founding funders of the Black Researcher Consortium at a launch event on 3 April 2025.
*By ‘Black’ we mean anyone who identifies as having Black or Black British African, Black or Black British Caribbean, Black or Black British other or Mixed Black or Black British background.