Speakers
Afua Acheampong
Event Essentials
Afua Acheampong is Head of the Black Internship Programme at Health Data Research UK (HDR UK), where she leads the strategic design, delivery and expansion of a national programme focused on improving access, equity and career development for Black students and graduates in health data science.
She is a national Equality, Diversity and Inclusion leader, strategist and speaker with over seven years’ experience advancing racial equity across higher education and research institutions. Afua is the creator of the Nottingham Trent University Black Leadership Programme, a nationally recognised initiative she designed whilst Vice President of Education at Nottingham Trent Students’ Union. Created in 2019, the programme has supported and graduated over 800 Black students, and continues to support students in building confidence, leadership capability and a strong sense of belonging. Today, the programme remains a leading model for inclusive practice in Higher Education.
Afua most recently led race equality at Queen Mary University of London, where she secured the institution’s first Race Equality Charter award. Her practice focuses on institutional culture change, increasing representation of minoritised staff, and embedding race equity across policy and leadership.
At a national level, Afua is Deputy Chair of the Black in Biomedical Research Advisory Group (BBRAG), a national Medical Research Council board overseeing investment into racial equity in biomedical research. She serves as Finance Chair of the Minoritised Life Scientists Future Forum (MLSFF), where she leads financial oversight and governance for the conference. Previously, Afua sat on the Office for Students Teaching Excellence Framework Advisory Board.
Afua holds a degree in Law (LLB) from Nottingham Trent University and completed study abroad at Western Washington University, studying Political Science.
Nicholas Farmer serves as the Race Equality Lead at the Medical Research Council (MRC), where he plays a pivotal role in advancing race equity across the biomedical research sector. With a focus on addressing the underrepresentation of researchers from marginalised backgrounds, Nicholas is instrumental in driving systemic change within the MRC and the wider UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) community.
Nicholas is deeply committed to creating a more inclusive environment in science, working on initiatives that promote equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) at all levels. He has been a key figure in developing the 'Black in Biomedical Research' project, which aims to create new opportunities and support systems for Black researchers in the field. His work includes coordinating new fellowship programmes, funding school outreach opportunities for pre-university students, and building partnerships across the research and innovation sector to foster a collaborative approach to race equality.
With a background that combines extensive experience in project management and a deep understanding of D&I challenges, Nicholas is dedicated to ensuring that race equality actions are informed by robust data and meaningful stakeholder engagement. His efforts are not just about policy but about creating tangible, lasting changes that will benefit future generations of scientists.