New Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Leads appointed
Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) is a priority for the NIHR Biomedical Research Centre: Manchester, and we are committed to ensuring a diverse and inclusive research environment.
To ensure the continued delivery of our EDI Strategy, the NIHR BRC: Manchester has appointed Dr Sayema Rahman Khan as our EDI Operational Lead and Dr Andrea Murray as our EDI Strategic Lead. Our EDI Strategy, produced jointly with the NIHR Clinical Research Facility: Manchester, was published in 2023.
Taking up their role as leads from 1 June 2026, they will be responsible for driving the delivery of our EDI Strategy to ensure we are delivering impact against our medium and long terms objectives.
Dr Khan and Dr Murray will also focus on establishing and maintaining strong and effective working relationships with existing EDI teams across our BRC and CRF partnerships. They will work closely with Angela Kelsall, the newly appointed EDI Lead at the NIHR CRF: Manchester.
Dr Khan (pictured) is a Research Project Manager in the Experimental Cancer Medicine Team (ECMT) at The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, affiliated with the NIHR BRC: Manchester Cancer Precision Medicine Theme, where she is also the ECMT Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement (PPIE) Lead. Alongside this, she leads the design and delivery of RISE@Manchester at The University of Manchester, a targeted career development programme for Global Majority researchers.
She is also the founder and chair of the South Asian Women in Higher Education (SAWHE) Network, a national grassroots community-led network that connects, supports, and celebrates women of South Asian heritage working or studying at UK universities. Dr Khan brings together experience in developing equitable initiatives, delivering research engagement, managing cross-sector operations, lived experience as a Global Majority professional staff member, and a passion for enabling inclusive working cultures.
Dr Khan said: “For me, EDI is about moving from good intentions to practical, measurable positive change. My work across The Christie, The University of Manchester and the wider sectoral landscape has shown me the difference representation, co-production and fair access to opportunity can make. I am honoured to take up this role and look forward to working alongside Andrea, Angela and colleagues across the BRC and CRF to translate our 4 EDI ambitions of People, Process, Education and Training, and Legacy into tangible progress to deliver on our ambitious EDI strategy.”
Dr Murray (pictured) is a Senior Lecturer in Clinical Photonics in the Scleroderma and Raynaud’s Research Group within the Division of Musculoskeletal and Dermatological Sciences (DMDS). She is based between The University of Manchester and Salford Royal Hospital, part of Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust. Her programme of research aims to develop and apply non-invasive imaging techniques to understand more about the rare connective tissue disease systemic sclerosis (also known as scleroderma).
Dr Murray also has a special interest in equity in clinical imaging. Within both BRC and University roles she works to improve inclusion of underserved communities in PPIE and research. Prior to taking on this role, she was the EDI lead for the Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Diseases Theme.
Dr Murray said: “I am excited to be developing and delivering on the EDI strategy, building upon the strong foundations developed to date. As a BRC, I hope we can deliver strategies that increase, retain and support equity and diversity. I very much look forward to working with Sayema to achieve this.”
The NIHR Clinical Research Facility: Manchester has also recently appointed Angela Kelsall (pictured) as its new EDI Lead. Angela will take on this role alongside her position as Operational Lead for the NIHR CRF: Manchester at North Manchester General Hospital.
She will focus on the operational delivery of the objectives in the strategy for NIHR CRF: Manchester colleagues across its host and partner organisations – Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, The Christie NHS Foundation Trust and Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust.
Angela said: “I would like to thank former EDI Lead Dr Fozia Ahmed and Deputy Leads Professor Rachel Cowen and Professor Smeeta Sinha for their contributions and I am looking forward to now building on these strong foundations to make sure we continue to progress our EDI ambitions.
“At the NIHR Manchester CRF, we are committed to ensuring a diverse and inclusive research environment for our workforce whilst delivering on our aims to drive forward health improvements and improved access to research opportunities for participants and patients.”
Our 4 EDI ambitions are: People, Process, Education and Training, and Legacy.
