Overview
NIHR Biomedical Research Centre (BRC): Oxford Health is committed to embedding Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) across all aspects of its research, workforce, and engagement activities.
Our strategy is shaped by the principles of the NIHR Research Inclusion Strategy, and aligns with the EDI frameworks of Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, the University of Oxford, and our wider network of partner organisations.
Strategic foundations
Our EDI approach is guided by the five NIHR themes for Research Inclusion and its People Framework:
Strategic objectives
Our EDI Strategy is structured around four core objectives:
- Equitable opportunities
We aim to create fair access to research careers through mentoring, support networks, and a culture that actively embeds EDI. - EDI leaders
We are building leadership networks that advocate for progressive EDI and challenge systemic barriers. - Supporting best practice in Research Inclusion
We are developing and implementing tools and materials to support inclusive research design and delivery. - Community participation
We ensure that diverse patient and public communities have opportunities to engage in our research, guided by frameworks such as NIHR INCLUDE.
You can view the full BRC: Oxford Health Strategy 2022-2027 here.
We also operate within a joint EDI Framework developed in collaboration with the NIHR Clinical Research Facility (CRF): Oxford Health.
Governance and delivery
The EDI Academic Lead, Dr Angharad de Cates and the EDI Project Manager, Lizzie Carline, oversee strategic delivery, and monitor alignment across the BRC.
EDI is embedded in governance through:
- Regular reviews of EDI progress at the NIHR BRC: Oxford Health Steering Committee and Strategic Partnerships Board
- Our Theme EDI Network, whereby Theme EDI ambassadors consult on strategic and delivery plans
- Regular agenda slots to discuss EDI on both the Theme Lead Meetings and Theme Operational Meetings
- Delegated responsibility to Theme Leads to produce Statements of Intent and reporting on the progress of these
Implementation and impact
Our EDI Action Plan includes:
- Development of an inclusive reciprocal mentorship scheme and research inclusion training programmes
- Creation and development of dedicated EDI resources including:
- Exemplars webpage showcasing best practice
- A Research Inclusion Hub to bring together national and local EDI
- Position Statement on the use of external datasets
- Strengthening community engagement and improving accessibility for underrepresented groups
- Pump prime awards supporting the development of innovative and inclusive approaches to research methodologies and demographic data collection
- A cross-partner EDI working group to support alignment of EDI goals across all partner organisations and to collaborate on common areas of interest
We are committed to continuous evaluation and improvement, with annual reporting and shared learning across our partner network.
