Community Research Champions Initiative Recognised for Driving Diversity in Health Research

British Diversity Awards Finalist Banner

Our NHSE funded Empowering Communities: Increasing Diversity in Northwest London’s Health Research initiative has been named a finalist for the 2025 British Diversity Awards in the Community Project of the Year category. The awards celebrate initiatives driving inclusivity and meaningful change across the UK. Winners will be announced on Wednesday, 19th March 2025, at JW Marriott Grosvenor House London, hosted by June Sarpong OBE and Dr Ranj Singh.

About the Community Research Champions Project

The Community Research Champions (CRC) initiative, part of our Ethnicity and Health Unit, was established to tackle the underrepresentation of ethnic minority groups in health research. Through strong partnerships with local communities, the initiative builds trust and increases participation in research to ensure that findings are inclusive, equitable, and representative.

Key achievements include:

British Diversity Awards Finalist Banner

Ganesh Sathyamoorthy, Assistant Director at NIHR ARC NWL and Deputy Director of the Ethnicity & Health Unit at Imperial College London, said:


“Being shortlisted for the British Diversity Awards is a testament to the dedication of our Community Research Champions and the power of community-led research. Addressing health inequalities requires meaningful engagement and collaboration, and this recognition reinforces the impact of our work in creating a more inclusive research landscape.”

Creating a Lasting Impact


The CRC initiative has successfully built community trust, gathering 785 feedback responses, with 95% of participants valuing health research, 92% understanding it, and 75% willing to participate. Tailored, borough-specific interventions have further strengthened engagement.

Recognised in the Marmot Report on Structural Racism, the CRC project has influenced national research efforts and secured nearly £500,000 in funding from NHS England and the Department of Health and Social Care. This investment supports voluntary, community, and social enterprise groups and creates local opportunities, helping to make the initiative impactful and sustainable.