We are pleased to announce that the University has been awarded £500,000 of funding from Wellcome, which will be matched with University funds to provide £1M to accelerate and embed Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) throughout our research and discovery approach.

The project will take place over the next two years until 31 March 2023 and will be led by Dr Rachel Cowen, University Academic Lead for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and Director of the Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health’s Centre for Academic and Researcher Development (CARD). The project is to be delivered by CARD, building on its inclusive researcher development expertise, in partnership with the University EDI team and diverse staff and student researcher networks.

The project has four main strands:

1. Diversifying our research community
2. Providing equity of research opportunity
3. Working towards an inclusive research environment
4. Contributing through responsible and inclusive research practice

Colette Fagan, Vice-President for Research, said: “I am delighted that Rachel is leading this Wellcome-funded initiative. It will help us to continue to drive progressive mainstreaming of EDI into our research strategy and practice, as part of the delivery of the University’s ‘Our Future‘ strategy.”

Nalin Thakkar, Vice President for Social Responsibility, added: “This is a hugely important initiative that will accelerate our efforts in creating a truly inclusive research environment and creating opportunities for all of our researchers to reach their full potential.”

• To hear more about the project or to get involved, please contact CARD at acadresdev@manchester.ac.uk.