Where are my Black professors? The research culture preventing Black researchers from thriving in UK institutions

<ns3:p>This paper investigates the persistent underrepresentation of Black heritage researchers and academics at UK Higher Education Institutions in Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths, and Medicine (STEMM), with a focus on Biomedical Research where possible. Despite decades of policy development, research, and advocacy, 0.6% of STEMM professors are Black, falling to zero in certain disciplines. Are the structural barriers that exclude Black researchers at every stage of the STEMM pipeline? Research culture influences how research is conducted, communicated, and how researchers are supported. Academic progression depends on research, funding, publications, teaching, and leadership, and the criteria are often unequally applied. Evidence highlights Black researchers’ experiences of exclusion, racial harassment, and opaque advancement processes; moreover, funding disparities further entrench inequality. Data reveal that Black researchers account for less than 1% of fellowship holders and Principal Investigators. Additionally, without institutional support, Black researchers and academics are routinely excluded from the research culture and economy. Black professors’ underrepresentation is not simply a pipeline issue but a result of intersecting failures in recruitment, funding, and academic culture. Grassroots initiatives offer community support but come at a cost, the “Minority Tax”, which is unpaid labour that diverts time from career-building activities. Representation matters for students, knowledge production, and institutional legitimacy. Therefore, systemic reforms are urgently required. Research funders and institutions must implement transparent, equitable policies that enable Black researchers to not only enter but also thrive and lead within the UK research ecosystem.</ns3:p>