The Oxford and Oxford Health BRCs Diversity in Research Group have met in person for the first time to celebrate the important contributions from the group to health research throughout the pandemic.

A networking and thank you lunch took place in December 2021 at St Anne’s College, Oxford, with group members travelling from across England to attend.  The group members are from communities currently under-represented in research, such as minority ethnic communities.  

The event provided an opportunity for members to meet each other, staff and to celebrate the group’s contributions.  Members provided significant input to improve research over the last year,  details of which are documented in “Diversity in Research Group – Achievements 2021”.

In attendance, and meeting the group for the first time, were Oxford BRC’s Chief Operating Officer, Dr Vasiliki Kiparoglou and Professor Ilina Singh from Oxford Health BRC.  Dr Kiparoglou said:

This is a committed and inspiring group of people who are providing diverse perspectives and making a real difference to health research.”

Group members identified what they value about the group. Kiran Kaur Manku said:

It is a pleasure to be part of this group to hear and contribute different perspectives on research projects. The meetings provide a valuable space to challenge how research should be done and can be made more accessible and relevant to the diverse communities across the UK.” 

Rosemary Musesengwa commented:

The meeting was a fun, informal way of letting the group meet, get to know each other and discuss future work for 2022. I left the meeting feeling that my opinion matters a lot and I feel like doing even more if I could.”

In January 2022, the group will continue to meet online to plan activities for the coming year.

Find out more about the Diversity in Research Group.

If you would like to get involved with the group during 2022, please contact Rachel.Taylor@ouh.nhs.uk or alexandra.almeida@psych.ox.ac.uk.