We’re improving diversity in research
We have continued our work towards making the research environment more inclusive, both for those working in the sector and those who benefit from the research we fund.
We have now captured diversity data from our grant committee members and have started collecting data on our external independent reviewers. This will allow future analysis and enable us to inform strategies to increase diversity in these roles.
Linked to this work, we published our first research funding diversity data 2020-2023 report to increase transparency, and plan to release similar reports in future years to show our progress. We have already implemented a new expression of interest process, with a view to attracting committee members from underrepresented groups.
We’re integrating EDI into the research funding process
We have now included a new mandatory section on all research funding application forms for most BHF funding schemes, asking for information on:
- whether and how factors such as age, sex, gender or ethnicity have been considered as part of the design of the research project
- male/female representation in the proposed study.
We have also added a question at the final report stage for all grants. It asks for demographic details of participants against expected demographics of those affected by the condition under study, and strategies to improve this.
We’re collecting data on the CVD research workforce
We have now collected data for our upcoming Research Workforce Report. This includes collecting demographic data on a section of the CVD research workforce. We’re currently building on this with qualitative insight from BHF-funded researchers, which will be shared in the final analysis.
We will also be sharing our first BHF clinical cardiology workforce census report, which will shed light on under-representation at the intersection of clinical cardiology care and cardiovascular research.
We’re increasing the representation of women in research
Our work to increase the representation of women in the research workforce has also continued, with more activity planned. This includes:
- expanding our Daphne Jackson career re-entry partnership
- holding a Women in Science supper for cardiovascular researchers to connect, providing advice on improving under-representation in cardiology and cardiovascular research. We will build on this with further events, including those to promote funding opportunities.
We have also worked in partnership to:
- support the development of the MESSAGE (Medical Science Sex and Gender Equity) initiative to help develop national guidance for researchers on how to consider sex and gender in research
- advance women’s cardiovascular health and research globally as part of the Global Cardiovascular Research Funders Forum, sharing learnings and agreeing shared principles related to improving the representation of women in clinical research and in academic leadership.