The Microbiology Society’s response to UKRI’s draft EDI strategy consultation

Focused around four cornerstones for change, the draft strategy sets out UKRI's ambition for an inclusive research and innovation system and their long-term commitment to achieving this aim. UKRI detail that this is the start of ‘a new phase of work, building upon the lessons we have learned, and continue to learn, about what UKRI can do itself and in partnership with others to transform the system for the better’.

In our response, informed by our members’ experience with UKRI’s current approach to EDI and their perspective on the ambitions detailed in the draft strategy, we highlight that while the strategy shows UKRI’s commitment towards embedding EDI in its organisation, it does not set out a truly revolutionary vision to make the sector more equitable overall. In addition, despite a few examples of good practices, our members strongly expressed that UKRI currently fails at fostering an inclusive, equitable, just and diverse research and innovation system.

Quotes and a case study are included to illustrate the unacceptable challenges that some researchers currently face when applying for UKRI funding. We hope that these examples will keep encouraging the organisation to not only develop an ambitious EDI strategy, but, more importantly, to ensure that significant and permanent changes occur in the very fabric of UKRI.

Finally, we welcome the opportunity to start a constructive dialogue with UKRI on what we have learned so far through our journey to meaningfully embed EDI in our organisation. We call on UKRI to proactively seek long-term partnerships with a variety of stakeholders beyond reviewing responses to this consultation.