The John Innes Centre is proud to announce a new collaboration with Newcastle University, supported by partners at The University of Essex, Quadram Institute and Earlham Institute, which will deliver bespoke STEM-based EDI training, tailored for Higher Education and research institutions in 2026.

As one of the first projects to be supported by the UKRI EPSRC-funded EDI Hub+ Flexible Fund, JIC and Newcastle University will co-create bespoke EDI training modules specifically designed for STEM research and higher education environments, with a focus on the Equality Act, impact of microaggressions and practical active bystander guidance.

Following on from the successful BBSRC-funded Neurodiversity project, this new project aims to:

• Increase awareness among staff and students about the nature of microaggressions and the impact they have on individuals and organisational culture
• Provide practical strategies for active bystander intervention, empowering all individuals to safely and effectively challenge negative behaviours
• Foster a culture of mutual support and accountability by shifting social norms and encouraging a shared responsibility for creating an inclusive and equitable environment
• Empower individuals with lived experience to advocate for themselves and contribute to a workplace where they feel valued and respected.

Dr Clare Stevenson, Head of Science Coordination and Research Culture at the John Innes Centre and the lead for the new project, said: “This funding will help us to expand the reach of our current EDI training beyond research institutes into higher education, and help us to address priority EDI areas and behaviours to promote a positive research culture.

“Our original BBSRC-funded Neurodiversity project continues to reap rewards, with Newcastle University recently partnering with us to roll out the training at their own organisation. To be able to build on that relationship, and work more closely together on a new project from day one, is really exciting. The new e-learning content will be co-created with colleagues across our organisations, ensuring it is grounded in lived experiences from a wider range of STEM disciplines.”

Professor Candy Rowe, Dean of Culture and Inclusion and project lead at Newcastle University, said: “We are actively working to build more safe and inclusive research environments for all our colleagues and students, so I’m delighted we’re collaborating with JIC to build new resources that will be valuable for us and the sector. I look forward to seeing the impact we can make at our institutions and beyond later in the year.”

Microaggressions are a specific type of negative microbehaviour, defined as subtle everyday slights that convey negative messages to individuals from marginalised groups, such as racial minorities, specific gender groups, or the LGBTQ+ community. The cumulative impact of these behaviours can lead to lasting effects on wellbeing, job performance, and a sense of belonging.

The new project will use tried and tested approaches inspired by the successful JIC Neurodiversity e-learning project which began in 2024, championed by Dr Stevenson and delivered by Leah Milner-Campbell following a successful BBSRC Connecting Cultures grant. The subsequent e-learning and in-person training engaged more than 600 individuals from across BBSRC Institutes, and evaluation metrics showed a substantial increase in knowledge and confidence among participants.

The new training will involve engagement and co-creation with a multi-disciplinary group of stakeholders from both JIC and Newcastle University, including researchers, technical staff, managers, representatives from EDI networks, HR and training experts. Due in Autumn 2026, the new modules will be made available to all the partner organisations and eventually made openly available through the training platform to the whole UK sector through a not-for-profit collaborative approach.

Christopher Spice, Technical Services Manager (Technician Commitment) at the University of Essex, said: “This project promises to have a significant impact on the workplace culture within the scientific community. We are looking forward to promoting and delivering this bespoke training across our own institution, and are committed to fostering collaboration with the John Innes Centre. This project is an excellent opportunity to strengthen our relationship.”

Professor Neil Hall, Director of the Earlham Institute, said: “We have seen the positive impact of targeted engagement and training firsthand, most notably the BBSRC Connecting Research Culture Conference we hosted in 2025, and the BBSRC-funded Neurodiversity training developed on the Norwich Research Park. It has significantly enhanced awareness and understanding across our research community, and we are excited by the opportunity to participate in the extension of this work to cover the broader EDI space.”

Professor Daniel Figeys, Director of the Quadram Institute, said: “To deliver excellent science you need a healthy research culture and we pride ourselves on an inclusive culture that offers an outstanding working environment for all. The recent neurodiversity training, funded by BBSRC, was extremely well received and promoted the development of our Neurodiversity Nook. Our staff and student focus groups will be encouraged to support this new training.”

What is the EDI Hub+

Building an inclusive future for Engineering, Physical and Mathematical Sciences research and innovation.

Funded by UKRI EPSRC, the EDI Hub+ connects the national EPMS research and innovation community to share what works, test new ideas, and scale evidence-based inclusive practices across the UK.

The EDI Hub+ has awarded funding to five transformative projects that will advance equality, diversity and inclusion across Engineering, Physical and Mathematical Sciences research and innovation. These projects tackle systemic barriers and promote inclusive practices, aligning with UKRI’s vision for a more inclusive research and innovation system.