NIHR BRC: Manchester Professor Recognised by Black History Month Magazine
Dawn Edge, Professor of Mental Health and Inclusivity at The University of Manchester, Director of the Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Research Unit at Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust and researcher for the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Biomedical Research Centre (BRC): Manchester Mental Health Theme, has been honoured in the 2026 edition of Black History Month Magazine.
The focus of this year’s magazine was ‘Honouring our Communities.’ Professor Edge was recognised for her work engaging with communities to create solutions to overcome inequities in mental healthcare. An example of her work is a Culturally-adapted Family Intervention (CaFI) co-created with people from African and Caribbean heritage diagnosed with schizophrenia and related psychoses. People of African and Caribbean descent have experienced inequitable psychosis care for decades, including a lack of culturally-informed therapies, so her work seeks to address a clear need.
Black History Month Magazine is an annual publication that recognises individuals and communities whose work shapes Britain today. Professor Edge was nominated for this honour by Laverne Condappa-Ward, a colleague at The University of Manchester.
I strongly believe that research should be undertaken with or by communities instead of to, for, or about them. The concept of co-production is therefore central to my work. That is why I was delighted that Black History Month Magazine recognised me as part of their Honouring our Communities campaign. This award is for all of us.
Professor Dawn Edge
Professor Edge’s research seeks to improve the way research, policy and professional practice respond to the unmet needs experienced by underserved communities. By working with people who are seldom heard, she has consistently sought to develop more solutions-focused, culturally-appropriate, holistic care with patients and those who care for them.
In 2019, Professor Edge became The University of Manchester’s first Black female professor. At that time, of over 21,000 professors in the UK, 5,700 of whom were female, just 25 were Black women. As the University’s lead for the Women in Higher Education Network’s 100 Black Female Professors NOW programme, Dawn has contributed to a 4-fold increase in Black female professors nationally (115), and a 5-fold increase at The University of Manchester since the programme launched in 2021.
Addressing intersectionality is really important to me personally, as well as my research, service and leadership. We need to consider how people’s experiences, identities, and protected characteristics interact to create or amplify barriers in access, experience, and outcomes, not only in education and healthcare, but in every aspect of our lives.
Professor Dawn Edge
Professor Edge’s research seeks to improve the way research, policy and professional practice respond to the unmet needs experienced by underserved communities. By working with people who are seldom heard, she has consistently sought to develop more solutions-focused, culturally-appropriate, holistic care with patients and those who care for them.
In 2019, Professor Edge became The University of Manchester’s first Black female professor. At that time, of over 21,000 professors in the UK, 5,700 of whom were female, just 25 were Black women. As the University’s lead for the Women in Higher Education Network’s 100 Black Female Professors NOW programme, Dawn has contributed to a 4-fold increase in Black female professors nationally (115), and a 5-fold increase at The University of Manchester since the programme launched in 2021.
Addressing intersectionality is really important to me personally, as well as my research, service and leadership. We need to consider how people’s experiences, identities, and protected characteristics interact to create or amplify barriers in access, experience, and outcomes, not only in education and healthcare, but in every aspect of our lives.
Professor Dawn Edge
At The University of Manchester, she led the university’s successful Race Equality Charter (REC) Silver Award submission. REC provides a framework for engagement, self-assessment and actions towards achieving race equity in higher education. The charter enables the university to identify areas of good practice, as well as areas for improvement to fulfil its commitment to becoming an anti-discriminatory, anti-racist organisation.
Professor Edge also featured in the September issue of Keep the Faith magazine as part of a wider article about Black leaders in higher education. The piece discussed her role as the Academic Lead for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion on Race, Religion and Belief at The University of Manchester. Professor Edge has been instrumental in setting up faith-based support for staff at the university as part of a wider multifaith strategy. For example, she contributed to the widening of the scope of university chaplains’ work and training to support the spiritual needs staff and students of all religions and none.
My faith is a key part of who I am. I believe it’s the same for many staff and students at the university. People should be supported in their faith journey and practice so that they can bring their whole selves to work and find help, guidance, and support when and where they need it.
Professor Dawn Edge
Professor Edge’s research has also explored the role that faith can play in people’s mental wellbeing. Her work has shown that people’s faith can provide them with a sense of community and a network of support when they are experiencing mental health issues, particularly for people from racialised and or margnialised communities. Her team have held engagement events with faith groups, such as Black-Majority Churches, exploring how best to support people during mental health crises and to meaningfully participate in research.
Professor Edge also recently featured in a photography exhibition, Portrait of Black Britain. It explores what it means to be Black in Britain today and features people from all walks of life, from academics, like Professor Edge, to businesspeople, actors and nurses. You can view the gallery online or see it in person at Aviva Studios from October – November 2026.