Ealing’s University of West London (UWL) hosted a conference aimed at supporting Black biomedical science students and addressing underrepresentation in research earlier this month (4 March 2026).
The university held the fourth Black in Biomedical Undergraduate Conference in collaboration with SiSTEM UK, with sponsorship from the Academy of Medical Sciences and the MRC Laboratory of Medical Sciences. Founded in 2023 by Professor Bernadine Idowu, the initiative seeks to raise aspirations and broaden opportunities for Black students in the field.
This year’s theme, “Reframing the Picture”, focused on representation within medical research, particularly in clinical trials where Black communities are often underrepresented.
Professor Idowu said the strong attendance and ongoing engagement demonstrated the conference’s lasting impact.
The event featured a keynote from Dr Donald Palmer of the Royal Veterinary College, alongside panel discussions, mentoring sessions and networking opportunities. Students described the conference as both informative and encouraging.
Biomedical science student Soriver Veloz said: “Their insights showed that there are many ways to navigate the field.” Elizabeth Feleye added: “It reminded me that there is space for us in these fields.”
 hosted a conference aimed at supporting Black biomedical science students and addressing underrepresentation in research earlier this month (4 March 2026).){kind=link}