Black History Month at NIHR
2023 Theme - Saluting our Sisters
Welcome to Black History Month 2023
At the NIHR we are making the step-change to become a more inclusive funder of research. In addition to the strategic programme of work we have in place to embed inclusion into all of our activities, we are pleased to be spotlighting and supporting several recognition months across the year.
We are once again using the month of October to focus on some of the contributions and achievements of black people in health and social care and to talk about issues relating to ethnicity and race. It provides the opportunity to celebrate our cultural diversity and to reflect on where changes are needed.
As a leader in health and social care research, NIHR remains committed to funding research that addresses the needs of under-served communities which includes addressing racial disparities in health and social care research. Our ambition goes beyond the research we fund with a commitment to understanding the needs of our workforce and building an inclusive culture for everyone to thrive.
Please visit our page throughout the month of October to engage in the activities designed to raise awareness and challenge our views about race and racial equity.
- The Research Inclusion Team
White Allyship - A Black History Month Commitment
In this blog Calvin Moorley, Professor with a Chair in Diversity and Social Justice, and Ruth Oshikanlu, Nurse Entrepreneur and Executive Director, call upon every reader to commit to becoming a white ally.
This blog describes how to take a non-racist approach to everyday living, as a white ally.
Calvin and Ruth underline how white allies can:
Acknowledge privilege
Actively listen
Appreciate being uncomfortable when discussing race
Continually learn
Calvin and Ruth will be running a webinar on Wednesday 22 November to discuss how you can commit to becoming a white ally. If you have any questions you would like answers to, email them to researchinclusion@nihr.ac.uk and keep an eye out for information about the webinar.
Book Club: Why I'm No Longer Talking To White People About Race by Reni Eddo-Lodge
The GMG (LGC's Grant Management Group, which is an NIHR Coordinating Centre co-host) Inclusion group will be holding a book club to discuss 'Why I'm No Longer Talking To White People About Race', by Reni Eddo-Lodge.
All NIHR staff are invited to attend.
Copies of the book will be available at reception at Grange House Twickenham, given out on a first-come first served basis.
The book club will take place 12:15-13:00 on 23 October 2023.
Writing about race
Until recently, ‘BAME’ was a widely used term for referring to people from Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic Groups. However, research indicated that this methodology was problematic and became a ‘catch-all’ term. NIHR no longer uses ‘BAME’ terminology. We recommend always using the most specific phrasing possible, when referring to any group of individuals.
In a UK context we might say something like:
‘individuals from ethnic minority backgrounds were less likely to be successful in their applications for funding’.
But, if we are writing for a global audience we may need to be more specific and to highlight particular groups of individuals such as :
‘African or Afro-Caribbean individuals were less likely to be successful in their applications for NIHR funding’.
Why? The ethnicities that we refer to in a UK context as minorities are actually not minorities in a global context.
In other contexts it is really important to make clear exactly what group of people you are talking about - if we’re talking about research with a study population of Black men, saying
“people from ethnically minoritised backgrounds”
This example is too general and may minimise important nuances relating to health, social and structural inequalities.
For more information about this topic, check out the NIHR Inclusive Language and Communications Guide on NIHR Learn.
Joint Statement of Intent with the NHS Race and Health Observatory
In July, the NIHR published a joint statement of intent with the NHS Race and Health Observatory (RHO) to reduce race and ethnic inequalities in health and care.
The statement of intent solidifies our commitment to work together to maintain momentum in our efforts to address health inequalities. Over the next 12 months, we will outline our work plan and continue to share progress on our activities. We remain dedicated to using evidence to translate policy into practice.
Dr Esther Mukuka and Dr Habib Navqi wrote the blog 'Stop talking and take action: working together to tackle health inequalities', which explains how the NIHR and NHS RHO will support further action to tackle health inequalities.
Allyship in Action webinar
Following the launch of the NIHR Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Strategy in 2022, we held an Allyship in Action webinar hosted by the NIHR Race Equality Public Action Group (REPAG) in collaboration with the NIHR Research Inclusion Team.
Allyship is increasingly important in our efforts to tackle social injustice and achieve racial equity. Providing the public with a research and innovation system that equitably addresses the health needs of all members of UK society requires thoughtful allyship. We can all take steps to become allies and help foster an environment in which everyone feels valued and is able to thrive.
It was an engaging and insightful event, in which six members of the REPAG shared their reflections in a panel discussion. Their topic was the role of allies in society, the benefits and challenges of becoming an ally and their personal experience of allyship
Honouring contributions and impact made by people of Black heritage in healthcare
In the September 2022 instalment of NIHR Learn Insights, we looked at the contributions and significant impacts made by people of Black heritage in healthcare.
We focused on celebrating diversity in health research and highlighted specific contributions individuals have made (past and present). We also explored how increasing our own knowledge and awareness of scientists across a range of identities and experiences can help to facilitate more meaningful engagement with different communities.
Useful links and resources
Useful links and resources
