I am delighted that the dedication and hard work of numerous staff at King's over the last decade was recognised through the Allyship in Action Award (Institutional). This work has been led by individuals who are committed to the principle of inclusion as a moral imperative beyond the vagaries of populism. That commitment has helped to create an inclusive research community both within and beyond King's. There is still much work to be done and with the commitment of the staff at King's we can continue to celebrate equality, diversity and inclusion for decades to come.
Professor Tim Newton, Dean of Research Culture, King's College London
18 September 2026
King's celebrates Allyship in Action Award
King's celebrates a decade of the BME ECR Conference and receives Allyship in Action award
King's College London recently welcomed researchers, academics and sector partners from across the UK for the 10th Black and Minority Ethnic Early Career Researcher (BME ECR) Conference, celebrating ten years of championing Black and Minority Ethnic researchers and supporting a more inclusive research community.
Founded by Professor Bernadine Idowu, a King's alumna and Visiting Senior Lecturer in the Faculty of Dentistry, Oral & Craniofacial Sciences, the BME ECR Conference was established to address barriers facing Black and Minority Ethnic early career researchers and create opportunities for networking, mentorship and career development. Over the past decade, the conference has grown into a nationally recognised platform supporting researchers across institutions, disciplines and career stages.
To mark this milestone anniversary, King's and the University of West London (UWL), where Professor Idowu is a Professor of Biomedical Sciences, co-hosted the conference under the theme "Reflection, Recognition and Renewal", bringing together researchers to celebrate the impact of the network and explore how the sector can continue to advance equity and inclusion in academia.
The celebrations began the evening before the conference with the inaugural BME Early Career Researcher Legacy Awards, recognising individuals and institutions that have made significant contributions to supporting Black and Minority Ethnic researchers and advancing equality across higher education.
At the awards ceremony, King's received the Allyship in Action Award (Institutional) in recognition of its longstanding commitment to supporting the BME ECR Network and Conference. The award acknowledges the University's role in helping to sustain a platform that has enabled researchers to connect, develop professionally and build a strong sense of community over the past ten years.
The conference provided an opportunity to reflect on the network's achievements while focusing on the future. Delegates heard from conference alumni who shared stories of how the network had influenced their careers and the support and inspiration it had given them.
The programme also included panel discussions, workshops and networking sessions, offering valuable opportunities for researchers to exchange ideas, build connections and contribute to conversations about the future of those from BME backgrounds in academia. For many attendees, the event reinforced the importance of visible role models, supportive networks, and inclusive environments in helping researchers navigate academic careers and fulfil their potential.
Facilitating the 'World Café' session and conversations with early career researchers highlighted how much institutional culture shapes ECR's ability to thrive in academia. INKLUDE's Inclusive Leadership Toolkit, funded by Wellcome, tackles that directly by giving research leaders evidence-based knowledge and skills in inclusive leadership and sponsorship, so future ECRs step into a research culture built to support them.
Dr Lola Olaleye, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, King's INKLUDE
The Allyship in Action Award recognised King's decade-long support of the BME ECR Network and Conference by the Centre for Research Staff Development (CRSD) and Research Talent. It also aligns with the University's broader commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion. This includes initiatives such as INKLUDE, which aims to cultivate a more inclusive research environment by addressing barriers experienced by women and individuals from minoritised ethnic groups and implementing approaches that support a culturally safe workplace, including the development of an Inclusive Leadership Toolkit. King's commitment to race equality is also reflected in its Race Equality Charter Mark Bronze Award, which recognises the University's ongoing work to address issues of race and racism and create a more equitable environment for staff and students.
Together, the Legacy Awards and the 10th BME ECR Conference celebrated not only a decade of impact, but also the power of collaboration, allyship and community. For King's, receiving the Allyship in Action Award was a meaningful recognition of its support for a network that continues to inspire, connect and empower researchers across higher education. It also provided an opportunity to acknowledge the many colleagues and teams whose dedication helped bring this landmark celebration to life and whose ongoing work continues to strengthen an inclusive research culture at King's.
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Dean of Research Culture