Research England EDI Expert Advisory Group

Closing date: 6 February 11:59pm
Number of positions: One
Length of term: Rolling, initial appointment until December 2026
Time commitment: Three days per annum
Remuneration: £170 per day
Selection panel meets to consider applications: 6 March
Outcomes communicated: 20 March
Meeting of the Research England equality, diversity and inclusion expert advisory group: March 2026, date to be confirmed

Research England welcomes applicants for a vacancy on our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Expert Advisory Group.

We are seeking applications from individuals with experience or expertise in issues related to disability access and inclusion to address an expertise gap in the group. Individuals with both lived and learned experiences are encouraged to apply.

Who we're looking for

In addition to delivering research and knowledge exchange funding to higher education providers, Research England provides system intelligence, data, evidence and insight and works in close strategic partnership across the sector.

We are also an employer with a commitment to being a world-class organisation with an inclusive workplace culture. We envisage, therefore, an Expert Advisory Group membership that can help us realise and embed equality, diversity and inclusion across all our work and ways of working.

We are looking for individuals with experience, skills and knowledge in issues related to disability access and inclusion to support the development and implementation of Research England’s action plan. The action plan considers our role under four key focus areas:

as a leader
as a funder
as an employer
in enhancing the evidence base

Examples of experience and insights that may be relevant are as follows. We are seeking panel members with both lived and learned experience relevant to some or all of these areas.

Leader

We are looking for experience relevant to:

EDI-specific knowledge and practical experience in intersectional EDI practice
insights into EDI challenges and barriers, specifically in the context of research and knowledge exchange in the higher education sector in England
leading knowledge of EDI challenges within the research and knowledge exchange sector, particularly for underrepresented groups, research students, technical staff and early-career researchers
sharing best practice within the higher education sector and across diverse partners to improve practice and support more inclusive approaches
expertise in developing approaches to increase mobility and porosity between sectors
experience of convening diverse communities to effect change in the research and innovation sector

Funder

We are looking for experience relevant to:

inclusive funding models
inclusive funding practices and grant-making
cross-sector experience (for example, non-profits, charities, national and international funding agencies, community-based funding, research and academia)
grant funding decision-making
EDI considerations in peer review processes
experts with knowledge of equity in research and innovation funding, including commercialisation
equality considerations within research and knowledge exchange assessment practices and processes

Employer

We are looking for experience relevant to:

inclusive leadership and management
EDI legislation and equality law
workforce policy development, with an EDI approach
organisational change management
empowering talented people to collaborate and thrive as part of a diverse and inclusive workforce
HR professionals, for example, HR management and practice, workforce adjustments and disability, recruitment, talent development
staff development and engagement, for example, staff networks, employee engagement, staff performance, career frameworks, and progression

Enhancing the evidence base

We are looking for experience relevant to:

insights, evidence and learning
monitoring and evaluation
social and system innovation
communications and inclusive engagement
international experience of research and knowledge exchange culture

Group member criteria

We are looking for:

experience or expertise in issues related to disability access and inclusion to support Research England as an inclusive leader, funder, employer and evidence-led organisation
a clear understanding of EDI and research and knowledge exchange culture issues
knowledge of EDI activities being undertaken in the UK and internationally in relevant or comparable sectors
track record of providing evidence-based insight and recommendations based on EDI
track record of a collaborative and responsive approach, and of demonstrating a commitment to making progress on EDI issues, with experience of improving outcomes
understanding of the role and scope of Research England

What you'll be doing

You will:

provide expert advice on Research England’s EDI action plan in the context of the UKRI EDI Strategy and the Research England Strategic Delivery Plan
act as a ‘critical friend’ in supporting as well as challenging Research England’s work and advising on whether activities align with UKRI and Research England priorities in relation to EDI and support a balanced portfolio of activities which have greatest impact for the highly diverse higher education sector
contribute to the identification of key EDI issues in the higher education sector in England, providing advice on where and how Research England could help address these challenges in the short and longer terms through the work detailed in the action plan

In the development and implementation of the EDI action plan, you will provide external guidance on Research England’s EDI evidence base to identify areas for intervention or further investigation, to include for example:

advising on ongoing or future evidence requirements
identifying any specific EDI issues that have arisen due to the coronavirus pandemic and how these should be resolved in the short and longer terms
advising on how existing Research England investment mechanisms and policies are effectively advancing EDI in the sector, through evidence and data

Read the EDI Expert Advisory Group terms of reference, December 2025.

How to apply

Complete the application form by Friday 6 February 2026, 11:59pm.

If you require reasonable adjustments to enable your participation, or have any queries on this process, contact EDITeam@re.ukri.org

How we’ll assess your application

We will make decisions on panel appointments based on the applications we receive, assessing against the person specification set out in the ‘Who we’re looking for’ section. We may contact you in order to gain clarity on aspects of your application.

Final decisions on panel appointments will be made by 20 March 2026. Successful candidates should note that the Research England Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Expert Advisory group will meet in March 2026, date to be confirmed.

Further information

About Research England

Research England is part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). We are responsible for funding, engaging with and understanding English higher education providers (HEPs). Our work builds and sustains the conditions for a healthy, dynamic, diverse and inclusive research and innovation system in the higher education sector.

We work with the higher education sector to understand its strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and challenges. We provide the core funding that unlocks the sector’s potential. We help universities to take the long-term view of their priorities that is essential to strengthening our national research endeavour and enhance its significant contribution to the wider economy and society.

Background

In July 2021, the government’s Research and Development (R&D) People and Culture Strategy set out clearly a sector-wide vision for placing people at the heart of an ambitious plan to drive and grow the UK’s role as a global leader in R&D. This strategy provided a blueprint to ensure that all contributions are valued, and that the UK has an outstanding R&D culture that nurtures discovery, diversity and innovation, and offers varied and diverse careers that bring excitement and recognition.

In its current five-year strategy 2022 to 2027, UKRI outlines how it aims to deliver on the government’s ambitions for the UK, outlining the long-term priorities for supporting a thriving, creative and agile research and innovation system that creates opportunities and benefits for all. UKRI’s EDI strategy sets out how it will use its role as a leader, a funder and partner, and an employer to foster a more diverse and inclusive research and innovation system, a system where everyone feels included, can participate in, contribute to, and benefit from our investments in research and innovation, in short, a research and innovation system by everyone, for everyone.

UKRI’s seven disciplinary councils, Research England and Innovate UK have committed to developing and delivering council specific EDI action plans which, while being anchored and supported by the UKRI EDI Strategy, will also respond to the specific needs of their respective communities and sectors.

Research England has established an external EDI expert advisory group to provide advice on the development and implementation of our EDI action plan. Our action plan will be driven by the Research England Executive and will set out our ambitions and activities to advance a positive, diverse and inclusive culture and way of working both for the sector we support and our own people.

The expert advisory group brings strong experience and a high level of expertise in EDI, higher education, research and knowledge exchange to ensure the plan reflects and responds to the needs and experiences of research and knowledge exchange communities across the English higher education sector.

Research England delivers the Research Excellence Framework in collaboration with the Higher Education Funding Bodies in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Separate specific EDI advice for the REF2029 programme is provided through its People and Diversity Advisory Panel.

Last updated: 3 December 2025