In our November Q&A, our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Project Manager shares insights into her role, the experiences that shaped her commitment to equality and inclusion, and how she is working with colleagues and communities to help create a more inclusive research culture across the Oxford Health BRC.
- Tell us about yourself, and what attracted you to working at the BRC?
The Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Project Manager role appealed to me because of its unique focus on both workplace EDI and inclusive research. Workplace EDI aligns with my interests in gender equality, anti-racism and organisational culture, while inclusive research builds on my previous work with refugees, people with disabilities, children and young people, and communities experiencing deprivation. Through working closely with these groups, I could see how and where systemic factors deepen health inequalities, and I was excited by the opportunity to help address these through research that will directly translate into NHS interventions.
- What is the focus of the work in your role?
Since early 2025, I have worked alongside our EDI Academic Lead, Dr Angharad de Cates, to deliver the BRC’s EDI Strategy. Our work is centred around four strategic aims: internal communications and learning, governance and leadership, sharing best practice and resources, and inclusive community engagement. With all four objectives on track, we are increasingly able to respond to emerging priorities and develop new initiatives that strengthen EDI across the BRC, for example the recent development of the Position statement on the use of external datasets.
- What does a day in your current job look like? What are you currently working on?
Collaboration is at the heart of my role. I work closely with colleagues across the BRC, particularly within our Research Capacity Development and Public and Patient Involvement, Engagement and Participation (PPIEP) teams, as well as with EDI networks and partners locally and nationally. Together, we develop initiatives that support a more inclusive research culture and practice. Recent work has included publishing our inaugural Research Culture, EDI and Research Inclusion Survey report, launching a Reciprocal Mentoring Scheme for under-represented colleagues, engaging mid-career researchers to inform future planning, starting Research Inclusion Drop-ins, and developing resources and engagement opportunities to support more culturally responsive and community-connected research.
- How did you get to where you are today?
My career has been shaped by a long-standing interest in equality, inclusion and community impact. I began in community and voluntary sector organisations, managing programmes that supported underrepresented groups, before moving into strategic and organisational development roles, in both the VCSE and higher education sector. Along the way, I developed expertise in training, events, engagement, and project management, which ultimately led me this current role.
- Who or what inspires you?
I’ve had the privilege to work with incredible community leaders in both Oxford and Merseyside, who have shaped my values and approaches. Much of what inspires me comes from Oxford itself! Growing up on the Cowley Road, attending secondary school in Blackbird Leys, and later working with communities in Rose Hill gave me a first-hand understanding of the city’s diversity and inequalities. My father was an archivist at the Bodleian Library, so I grew up with a foot in both the “town” and “gown” worlds. This experience inspires me to connect institutions and communities, ensuring the benefits of knowledge, investment and opportunity are shared more widely.
- If you were not in your job currently, what would you like to be doing?
I spent a few years as a specialist in educating and supporting adults with learning disabilities around healthy relationships, sexual safety and identity. I moved away from this as other opportunities arose, but I could see myself returning to one day, either within the learning disability community or more broadly in gender-based equality and rights. For now, I’m very happy where I am, particularly when I can combine strategic work with direct community engagement alongside the PPIEP team.
Lear more about EDI at our BRC: Equality, Diversity and Inclusion – NIHR Biomedical Research Centre: Oxford Health
