EDI action plan

What we are going to do

This action plan sets out our key goals, objectives associated with each goal and actions we plan on taking to achieve them.

Explore ways to collect diversity data
Encourage more diverse people to work with and for us
Make sure all the processes and policies we use improve equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) and don’t discriminate
Encourage inclusive attitudes and behaviours
Work with our partners and other groups to extend the reach and impact of our EDI plan

Develop a clear picture of the diversity of our staff, public contributors and people taking part in our research

Work with partner organisations to collect and review diversity data for BRC staff
Publish staff diversity data if possible and regularly monitor staff diversity
Find a way to collect and review diversity data for public contributors in the BRC public advisory group (PAG) and young people’s advisory group (YPAG)
Publish PAG and YPAG diversity data where possible and regularly monitor diversity of public contributors in PAG and YPAG

Run a series of schemes aimed at encouraging people from under-represented backgrounds to consider a career in biomedical research
Expand the BRC health research ambassador scheme

Identify schemes available within partner organisations to people at the pre-doctoral stage to help us target groups identified as under-represented among BRC staff
Develop processes for monitoring and assessing selected schemes to identify barriers and facilitators to progressing to doctoral training
Review effectiveness of selected schemes and share findings
Appoint a new set of health research ambassadors and use them to help people from under-served communities contribute to BRC research
Review the health research ambassador scheme, assess its impact and share our findings

Put in place inclusive recruitment processes for appointing BRC PhD students
Provide guidance for BRC staff on how they can involve more diverse groups in their patient and public involvement and engagement (PPIE)
Review BRC processes for setting up and monitoring research projects

Review best practice across other regional PhD programmes and decide which measures to use to recruit BRC PhD students
Put in place actions from the review and assess how effective they were
Review project approval forms
Investigate feasibility of monitoring diversity data for applicants to BRC Directors Fund

Review research culture in the BRC and identify actions for improvement
Ensure all BRC staff have access to appropriate training in EDI
Use the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Race Equality Framework to assess racial competence within the BRC and identify how to improve

Identify the best way to review research culture in the BRC, assess research culture and carry out actions from assessment
Repeat research culture assessment, identify examples of what has improved and areas for continued development
Create a list of resources available across all partners and signpost staff to appropriate courses
Find a way of monitoring EDI training plan effectiveness
Use the NIHR Race Equality Framework to assess racial competence within the BRC
Develop and deliver an action plan to address working group findings

Organise formal opportunities to discuss and share best practice in EDI across the NIHR, and other partners and groups.
Identify a network of groups willing to give us input for our EDI strategy and action plan

Work with partner organisations and stakeholders to explore ways in which EDI could be improved in pre-award processes
Organise a cross-BRC event to share best practice in EDI

Full EDI action plan document