Research and Innovation

Structural Racism in Cancer Trials 

Researchers from Harvard University and Queen Mary University of London have proposed policy changes in cancer care to take account of an overlooked source of structural racism. 

Led by Dr Stephen Hibbs from the Wolfson Institute of Population Health, the joint research highlights an overlooked source of discrimination in clinical trials and cancer treatment guidelines. The eligibility criteria for clinical cancer treatment trials is based on ‘absolute neutrophil counts’ which leads to an exclusion of people with a certain phenotype, a phenotype that is predominantly found in African and Middle Eastern people. Those with this phenotype also face increased risks of treatment delays, dose reductions or therapy discontinuations. 

 Hibbs and his co-authors propose strategies for addressing the discriminatory practices including eliminating the use of ANC-based criteria when clinically unnecessary. Published in the New England Journal of Medicine, Hibbs’ recommendations could fundamentally disrupt structural racism in healthcare.  

Centre for Research in Equality and Diversity (CRED) 

The Centre for Research in Equality and Diversity (CRED) at Queen Mary, University of London, was established in 2005 and is a prominent international research centre at the leading edge of equality and diversity  

CRED is committed to critical scholarship in researching equality and diversity and seeks to be guided by principles of social justice and inclusivity. In the contemporary political and economic context, research on equality, inequalities and diversity is vital to advance theoretical understanding and to appraise the impact of contemporary public policies internationally and nationally, and both at the level of the organization and the individual. Our work questions taken-for-granted ideas and solutions in the equality, diversity and inclusion space and sheds light on neglected aspects of equality, as well as persistent inequalities. Recent impactful work includes research on gender and ethnicity on corporate boards and in leadership, contributing to UK government policy on addressing gender and ethnic under-representation on boards (Hampton-Alexander and Parker Reviews)  

Socioeconomic influence in epidemic modelling 

As part of an international team, researchers from Queen Mary have shown that neglecting income, education and ethnicity negatively affects the effectiveness of data, such as predicting disease spread for COVID-19 data. 

Epidemic models typically focus on age-stratified contact patterns, however research shows that these other previously unidentified factors play a significant role in how people interact and respond to public health measures. This allows for a more detailed 

 and realistic representation of how diseases propagate through different population groups, especially those facing socioeconomic disadvantage.   

The Partnership for Black People’s Health  

The Partnership for Black People’s Health is a community-led research project that engages Black African and Black Caribbean communities in research to reduce the widely recognised disproportionate burden of health inequalities they face in all areas of medicine and public health. 

Equitable health outcomes for British Bangladeshi and Pakistani people 

Scientists at Queen Mary’s Blizard Institute uncovered genetic and environmental factors influencing the higher rates of certain diseases in British Bangladeshi and Pakistani communities. Their work integrates genomics with social research to tailor prevention and treatment strategies to specific populations. By identifying how genetic variation affects disease risk and medication response, this research promotes more equitable, effective healthcare. It also informs national health policy, ensuring underrepresented groups are included in medical innovation and public health planning. 

Inequality in the medical job market  

Research at Queen Mary has shown how disadvantages persist, even once you make it to medical school. Understanding this issue is key to creating a fairer system for doctors in training and building a health service that reflects the community it serves. Dr Ashley’s research provides medical schools with some steps towards a fairer system for trainees from less privileged backgrounds, starting by uncovering the hidden curriculum. 

Research Circle for the Study of Inequality and Poverty (RCSIP) 

The Research Circle for the Study of Inequality and Poverty (RCSIP) is a working group of scholars and advanced graduate students in economics in the UK and abroad, and hosts workshops on the themes of inequality, poverty and mobility.  The group meets annually to present and discuss new research on these themes