Background
A research workshop on health inequalities in diabetes that brought together researchers, healthcare professionals and people affected by diabetes and organised by Diabetes UK’s Diabetes Research Steering Groups (DRSGs) had identified inequalities in research practice and that the research community in the UK is not representative of the general population highlighting a lack of representation of researchers from Black ethnic groups. To address this inequality in diabetes research and to foster the next generation of Black leaders in diabetes in the UK, we launched two new funding Schemes in 2024 - the Black Leaders in Diabetes Internship and PhD Studentship - as a positive action initiative. This initiative aims to encourage a diverse postgraduate research community and help to develop a more inclusive pipeline for future academics and university leaders.
In 2025, we will continue to offer the Black Leaders in Diabetes PhD Studentship Scheme.
Advisory Panel
An Advisory Panel guided the development of these funding Schemes to ensure they were delivered effectively. The Advisory Panel included experts working in diabetes research and the community:
- Professor Jason Gill, University of Glasgow (Chair)
- Professor Kathleen Gillespie, University of Bristol
- Professor Samuel Seidu, University of Leicester
- Dr Bernadette Adeyileka-Tracz, Diabetes Africa
- Dr Oladapo Olaniru, King’s College London and Origin Sciences Ltd
Partnership with Windsor Fellowship
We are privileged to continue working in partnership with Windsor Fellowship, a national race equality educational charity. The successful PhD Student will gain access to Windsor Fellowship’s well-established mentorship programme.
