Equality, diversity and inclusion in research
At Cancer Research UK, we believe your success as a researcher should be determined by the quality of your science – and nothing else. We are committed to creating equal, diverse and inclusive research environments that enable all brilliant minds to come together, thrive and progress.
A robust evidence base is the first step in identifying barriers to individuals participating and thriving in cancer research – and it’s how we can make sure we’re taking the most effective action to improve equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) in the research we fund. That’s why we’re one of the UK’s first charity research funders to publish diversity data in our grant funding.
Our EDI in research action plan lays out our commitments as a funder to develop a more diverse and inclusive research community and contribute to tackling systemic issues like underrepresentation and racial bias.
Diversity is integral to excellence. By creating an inclusive and diverse community of cancer researchers, we will not only support the brightest minds to thrive and collaborate, we will further our mission of beating cancer – for everyone.
As a major research funder, we want to lead by example, use our influence and work collaboratively to make cancer research available to all the best researchers. Fixing the system will take time and a collaborative effort – among institutions, funders, and individual researchers. But we’ll listen, we’ll learn, and we’ll continue to work with others to create the culture change we want to see.
Iain Foulkes
Executive Director for Research & Innovation
Executive Board Sponsor, CRUK Race Equality and Equity Network
Latest EDI in research news
Introducing our new narrative CV format
We’re rolling out a narrative-based CV to ensure we’re attracting and retaining the full range of the most promising research and innovation talent.
Opportunity for early- to mid-career researchers to observe our panel and committee meetings
Early to mid-career researchers can observe our panels and committees that includes positive action to offer individuals from ethnic minority backgrounds and women priority places.
Inaugural Black in Cancer conference announced
We’re collaborating with Black in Cancer to bring together scientists, advocacy groups and partners to interact, build collaborations and join impactful conversations.
Partnership with In2scienceUK: inspiring the next generation of cancer researchers
We've partnered with In2scienceUK, an organisation promoting social mobility and diversity in STEM. Each Summer, we sponsor 10 young people through mentoring and also help improve access to postgraduate research for people from low socioeconomic backgrounds.
Our written response to the Science & Technology Committee Diversity in STEM inquiry
Our response gives an overview of what we’ve done so far as a research funder to help address underrepresentation of particular groups in STEM.
Our commitment to EDI across Cancer Research UK
Our diversity data report and EDI in research action plan are part of our organisation-wide EDI strategy to make Cancer Research UK the best charity it can be, which reflects the communities we serve, and that people are proud to work and volunteer for.
Join the conversation
Read commentators’ responses
We invited Chantelle Lewis and Paulette Williams (Leading Routes), Dr Lynn Asante-Asare (University of Leicester) and Dr Sophie Acton (University College London) to comment on our diversity data report.
Send us your feedback via email
We hope our diversity data reports and EDI in research action plan open up a dialogue with our research community, with institutions and with other funders.
We welcome your feedback and your ideas on how we can work together to create an equal, diverse and inclusive research community.
Share your thoughts on social
Do you have thoughts about our diversity data report and EDI in research action plan?
We’re keen to hear your reflections.