The UK’s research workforce systematically excludes talented people from marginalised groups, and the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Caucus (EDICa) aims to change that by generating evidence and practical tools to reshape how research careers, processes, and workplaces operate. Why this matters: Despite decades of policy statements, researchers from marginalised backgrounds—including those with disabilities, from ethnic minorities, or living with menstrual disorders—still face barriers that block their entry, retention, and advancement. EDICa will synthesise existing evidence, identify urgent gaps, and commission new research co-designed with those who have lived experience of exclusion. The project focuses on three areas: the full career and life cycle, how research itself is conducted, and how work is organised. If successful, EDICa will produce an online tool called ERICa—a co-designed repository of training materials, evidence, best practices, and interactive multimedia—launched in 2025. This tool will equip universities, funders, and research institutes with concrete resources to build inclusive cultures. The project also creates lasting communities of practice that embed EDI literacy across the UK’s research and innovation system, making a research career genuinely accessible to those traditionally locked out.
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To achieve global excellence in research and innovation, the research workforce must bring a diversity of experiences, expertise and ideas which necessitates the change of the cultures and structures which exclude marginalised researchers in order to meet UKRI's UK-wide talent programme. Our vision for the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Caucus (EDICa) is to advance the creation of inclusive research cultures enabling diverse researchers to access and thrive in careers across the research and innovation (R&I) systems. EDICa will advance understanding of the lived experiences of marginalized researchers, creating the hope and possibility of a research career for those traditionally excluded while imagining a different research world which embeds equity. Working across three workstreams: 1. the career and life cycle, 2. the research process and 3 the organisation of work, EDICa will undertake and lead a programme of research to advance EDI across the R&I systems. EDICa will synthesise evidence to identify gaps in existing understanding and EDI practice and areas in need of urgent research. We will also commission research via a flexible fund which will address gaps identified in the evidence reviews and conduct our own programme of research to advance EDI literacy, enabling workplaces and the inclusion of researchers living with menstrual disorders. In addition, EDICa will commission research projects across the three workstreams through the management of a flexible fund, with applications from those with lived experience of marginalisation and early career researchers particularly welcomed. Co-design with marginalised researchers and wider key stakeholders is at the heart of all of EDICa's activities. By working with stakeholder engagement groups, EDICa will create communities of practice who will not only shape the work of EDICa (including dissemination) but will also create a legacy of increased EDI literacy and capabilities across the R&I systems. EDICa will co-design, with key stakeholders, an online tool of training materials, evidence bases, best practice, and interactive multimedia. This tool, Equity in Research and Innovation Careers (ERICa) will be co-designed iteratively throughout the three year funding period, culminating in a formal launch in 2025.
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