Unpacking Barriers and Facilitators to Research Leadership for Black Primary Care Researchers

Individuals of Black heritage comprise 6.2% of the General Practice workforce in the UK. Representation is even lower in Primary Care Research. The understanding of why this misrepresentation exists is limited. We explored the representation of researchers of Black heritage at various career stages within primary care, alongside factors influencing retention and career advancement.

Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 18 researchers of Black heritage and 7 primary care senior academic leaders (current or former heads of primary care departments in UK universities). Interviews explored representations within academic primary care, researcher career journeys, barriers and enablers to progression, and recommendations for improving diversity in the UK's primary care research workforce. Interviews were digitally audio recorded, transcribed and analysed thematically.

All participants recognised significant underrepresentation of researchers of Black heritage in primary care research. Key barriers to career progression and retention included systemic and structural inequities, racism and exclusionary academic culture. Facilitators included proactive leadership, tailored training and support for researchers (including international scholars), mentorship, sponsorship and safe networking spaces. Participants offered recommendations to improve representation and career progression: training for leaders to recognise bias, discrimination and inequity, leadership development opportunities, tailored career support for researchers of Black heritage and targeted assistance for international researchers navigating UK academic systems. Visibility of Black role models in academic primary care was seen as essential to attracting and inspiring future researchers.

These findings highlight key areas for change to foster a more inclusive and equitable research environment in primary care.