Speakers
Councillor Ken Wood
Mrs Barbara Wood
Merisha Stevenson
Plenary Session
Hosted by Merisha Stevenson, the Minoritised Life Scientists Future Forum will formally open with a welcome from Councillor Ken Wood, Lord Mayor of Birmingham, and Professor Emmanuel Adukwu, Chair of the Future Forum. Accompanied by the Lady Mayoress, Mrs. Barbara Wood, Councillor Wood will introduce Birmingham as a city known for its history of innovation, resilience, and diversity, emphasising its significance as a centre for scientific and academic advancement. Professor Adukwu will then outline the Future Forum's mission to connect, empower, and inspire life scientists who have faced barriers in their careers. He will stress the importance of the forum as a platform for sharing groundbreaking research and advancing collaborative efforts towards a more inclusive future in the sciences.
This opening session signals the start of a conference committed to sparking real change, generating new opportunities, and ensuring inclusivity for all life scientists
Councillor Ken Wood, proudly serving as the Lord Mayor of Birmingham for 2024-2025, was born at Loveday Street Maternity Hospital in Birmingham. With a foundational childhood in Scotland after his parents separated, Ken's early years were shaped by village life near Edinburgh, where he assisted in local farming activities and discovered a passion for performance arts. His notable school role as Nanki Pooh in "The Mikado" and an on-stage experience alongside Placido Domingo are highlights of his formative years.
Ken’s career began in heavy engineering before he delved into commercial roles interacting with major oil firms. A search for his family roots led him back to Birmingham at 21, where he met his future wife, Barbara, and embarked on a successful career in recruitment. His political journey started in 1977, culminating in his roles as Councillor for Longbridge and later for Sutton Walmley & Minworth. Ken is a staunch advocate for affordable housing and actively contributes to public service, supported by a background that blends engineering, recruitment, and governance. His interests include rugby, football (a fervent supporter of Birmingham City FC), and the performing arts. As someone who is deaf in one ear, Ken often shares this with a touch of humour, suggesting a gentle nudge might be needed to catch his attention.
Barbara Wood, the Lady Mayoress of Birmingham, was born in Selly Oak Hospital and grew up in the vibrant communities of Harborne and Selly Oak. Her career began in Birmingham Public Libraries, where she developed a lasting passion for literature. This was followed by a tenure in catering management and later as a purchase ledger clerk, which saw her returning to her family home. Barbara's personal life blossomed when she met Ken while decorating a friend's house, an encounter that led to their marriage in 1984. They are proud parents to Anthony and Julia and recently celebrated becoming grandparents. Barbara's professional life evolved into a fulfilling 30-year career in care, where she supported adults with autism and later served as an NVQ assessor.
Her political involvement began with in 1982, with her election as a Councillor for Kings Norton, where she championed the rights of disabled children and foster care advancements. Outside of politics, Barbara's interests include caravanning, cooking, swimming, and dog shows with their Gordon Setter, Duncan, a regular participant and qualifier for Crufts.
We are delighted to have Merisha Stevenson guiding our conference. As a celebrated presenter from BBC Radio WM and an experienced broadcaster, Merisha has a profound knack for engaging audiences and steering conversations that touch on pivotal issues. Her extensive background in financial strategy and risk management, coupled with her passionate advocacy for empowering underrepresented voices, makes her the perfect host for our event.
Merisha is sure to leave a lasting impact on our conference, inspiring us all to embrace change and drive forward the cause of inclusivity in the scientific community, and ensure that every participant's voice is heard and valued.
Professor Emmanuel Adukwu is an academic and Deputy Head of the School of Applied Sciences at UWE Bristol. With a profound commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion in science, he serves as a key member of the 'Black in Biomedical Research' Advisory Group (BBRAG). The BBRAG was established to address the underrepresentation of Black heritage researchers in the UK biomedical sector, in collaboration with the Medical Research Council (MRC).
Professor Adukwu's extensive experience in academia and his dedication to equality make him a pivotal figure in shaping initiatives that aim to support marginalised groups within the life sciences. Through his work, he actively advocates for the inclusion and representation of Black and other marginalised researchers, striving to influence policies that reflect the needs and experiences of these communities.
As a speaker at the Minoritised Life Scientists Future Forum, Professor Adukwu will bring invaluable insights into the challenges and opportunities faced by underrepresented groups in life science research. His leadership and advocacy play a crucial role in driving transformative changes in the scientific community.