The EQuity Lab is exploring racial and gender inequalities by investigating the “leaky and broken” pipelines that exist in academic biomedical career pathways. The EQuity Lab, led by Dr Sarah Essilfie-Quaye, is the first evidence-generating exercise of this kind within the Faculty of Medicine. The insights from this research help inform equality policies and will develop new approaches aimed at helping to prevent the falling diversity within biomedical research and academia.
Where are my Black professors? The research culture preventing Black researchers from thriving in UK institutions
Essilfie-Quaye S, Reddy SP, Adeturinmo M et al.
Where are my Black professors? The research culture preventing Black researchers from thriving in UK institutions [version 1; peer review: 2 approved] Wellcome Open Research, September 2025
The VISiBLE Programme
In December 2025, Dr Essilfie-Quaye was awarded Research England, Enhancing Research Culture funding to develop the VISiBLE @ Imperial programme [Valuing Inclusion, Supporting Black Leadership & Excellence].
The programme was established to address the persistent underrepresentation of Black women in academic leadership and research careers by moving beyond representation statistics to better understand the organisational, cultural and structural factors that shape progression, recognition, belonging and leadership. Drawing on the experiences of Black women researchers and academics, VISiBLE seeks to support more inclusive research cultures, and create environments in which all talent can flourish.
Reserve Your Seat at the Table: Black Women Navigating the Changing World of Work
3 July 2026
As part of the VISiBLE programme, we hosted the Reserve Your Seat at the Table: Black Women Navigating the Changing World of Work roundtable. The event brought together researchers, academic leaders, professional services staff, policymakers and external stakeholders to consider the findings of the VISiBLE research and explore what meaningful organisational change could look like in practice. Building on the evidence presented in the VISiBLE Report, the roundtable created a space for collective dialogue, shared learning and critical reflection on how universities can better support progression, leadership development, recognition and scholarly flourishing for Black women in academia. The discussions were intended not only to disseminate the research findings, but also to inform future action and contribute to ongoing efforts to create more inclusive and equitable academic environments.
🎥 This video captures some of the energy, insights and connections that made this meeting so special.
The VISiBLE Report: Reserve Your Seat at the Table
Dr Sarah Essilfie-Quaye & Professor Priscilla Reddy
August 2026
The VISiBLE Report shares findings from the Leaky & Broken Pipelines study and presents the VISiBLE Framework, a new model for understanding and addressing the organisational conditions that shape progression, leadership and scholarly flourishing for Black women in academia. Moving beyond the numbers, the report offers evidence-informed insights to support universities, leaders and policymakers in creating more inclusive and equitable academic environments
VISiBLE Report Final Aug 2026.pdf
Research and engagement activities
A selection of research and engagement activities:
Invited Talk at the University of Ghana September 2026
Roundtable meeting Reserve Your Seat at the Table: Black Women Navigating the Changing World of Work July 2026 [VISiBLE Report Final Aug 2026.pdf]
Academic Presentation at the University of Oxford
October 2025
MethodsCon Futures 2024 Environmental Change is an Equity Issue
#TheLeakyPipelineGame at the Great Exhibition Road Festival
Partnerships in Academia, Health & Science CHARTA Meeting. "Access to Medicine: Policy & Investment".
March 2024. Tanzania House, Tanzania High Commission to the UK
Science Summit at United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). Symposium: Global Partnership in Science, Technology and Innovation for Sickle Cell Disease
Imperial As One Beyond Ethnicity Career Conference
Study about Black Heritage researchers and academics from all faculties at Imperial, including previous employees
We recruited current and previous Imperial staff for one-to-one interviews of approximately 1 hour. This data is currently being analysed.
Participants were recruited from the following Job Families:
Academics, Senior Teaching Fellows, Other Senior Leaders, Postdoctoral Research Associates, Research Fellows, Research Assistants, Research Technicians, Teaching Fellows and Previous Employees
Criteria:
- You self-identify as being from a Black Heritage background
- You are current, honorary, or former Imperial College London staff > 18years old
- You are willing to be interviewed and share your experience
For further questions contact: Dr Sarah Essilfie-Quaye via EQuityLab@imperial.ac.uk
Research team and Collaborators
Dr Sarah Essilfie-Quaye
Group Leader - EQuity Lab
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Research Fellow
Faculty of Medicine & Wellcome Institutional Strategic Support Fund (ISSF) Fellowship
Email: s.essilfie-quaye@imperial.ac.uk
Research focuses on gender and racial inequalities in academic careers in biomedical research, and the effects of this on under-served groups in clinical research.
Professor Priscilla Reddy
Visiting Professor, School of Public Health
Email: s.reddy@imperial.ac.uk
Priscilla is a distinguished behavioural scientist and a passionate advocate for equitable and sustainable research practices, with a focus on coaching and supervising emerging scientists and building collaborative research networks.
School of Public Health Gender Equity Writing
Group
Winner of the Julia Higgins Award 2026 (Whole Team Award)
This award is presented in recognition of the School of Public Health Gender Equity Writing Group’s exceptional contributions to supporting women in academia at Imperial, through collaborative, data-driven work that advances equity and shapes a more inclusive and reflective research culture.
Mary Adeturinmo
Healthcare & Design Researcher
Email: mary.adeturinmo20@imperial.ac.uk
Mary is a user experience researcher at the EQuity Lab, specialising in qualitative methods. In collaboration with the Imperial Sickle Cell Group, she helps advance health equity by focusing on the needs of underserved communities in clinical research.
Imperial Sickle Cell Group
Sarah is a collaborator with the Imperial Sickle Cell Group, contributing her expertise in equality, diversity and inclusion to support research, advocacy, and community engagement. Her work helps shape inclusive research practices and promotes health equity.
Contact us
For general enquiries please email: equitylab@imperial.ac.uk
EQuity Lab Social media
- X: @EQuityImperial
- LinkedIn: EQuity Lab Linkedin