The goal of the EDI Caucus is to strengthen the research & innovation (R&I) system by supporting a culture in which a diversity of ideas, perspectives, and talent from all backgrounds, areas of the UK, and career stages can thrive,. The caucus adopts an intersectional lens in examining experiences of researchers who typically experience more structural barriers in the R&I system, including researchers who identify as women, black, asian, minority ethnic, queer, disabled, deaf, neurodiverse, have caring responsibilities, work part-time or have any other protected characteristics. The EDI Caucus seeks to generate and share high quality evidence on practices that improve equality, diversity and inclusion outcomes in the R&I system through the leadership team working together with a network of experts and practitioners as well as the Funders.
The objectives for the EDI Caucus are as follows:
- To provide insights from research evidence on EDI that informs and shapes the work of the funders, and the broader research and innovation sector.
- To address priority evidence gaps by commissioning and undertaking new research and by supporting UKRI and the British Academy in testing and evaluating new EDI-related initiatives.
- To promote, coordinate and facilitate interdisciplinary approaches to research on EDI.