Correspondence: Addressing Systemic Barriers for Global Majority Nurses in UK Research Capability Development – A Call for Intersectional Solutions

2.1 Compounding discrimination and career advancement

Global Majority nurses in the UK face a complex web of intersecting challenges that compound the already significant barriers identified by Vamadevan et al. (2025) in their analysis of clinical academic progression.¹ While their systematic review identified structural barriers such as “poor visibility of nursing leadership” and “limited access to research mentors,” these challenges are amplified for Global Majority nurses through systemic racism that operates alongside gender discrimination, creating what scholars’ term “double jeopardy” for many nursing professionals.² These nurses encounter both explicit and implicit bias that affects recruitment, performance evaluation, and career progression opportunities. The discrimination manifests in multiple ways: questioning of credentials despite equivalent or superior qualifications, exclusion from informal networks that facilitate career advancement, and stereotyping that confines Global Majority nurses to clinical rather than leadership roles.^3,4 These systemic barriers operate at individual, institutional, and societal levels, creating persistent disadvantage that traditional career development programs may not adequately address.

The underrepresentation of Global Majority nurses in research capability development is particularly concerning given recent evidence highlighting specific barriers within clinical academic pathways. Vamadevan et al.’s (2025) systematic narrative review of nursing leadership in UK research and academia explicitly acknowledges that “equity issues affecting nurses from global majority backgrounds were underexplored and represent an important area for future research”.¹ This acknowledgment by the very research community studying nursing academic progression underscores the systematic exclusion of Global Majority perspectives from both research participation and research capability development initiatives.

Recent empirical evidence demonstrates how early career experiences shape Global Majority nurses’ research aspirations and capabilities. Williams et al. (2023) identified four critical themes affecting Black, Asian and minority ethnic nursing students: “altered career expectations, lack of understanding, absent discussion of racism and missing representation,” with their research finding that “experiences of racism were not uncommon” among students from these backgrounds.⁵ These formative experiences during education create lasting impacts on career trajectory, as Walker et al. (2024) demonstrated in their qualitative study of London NHS placements, finding that “these initial experiences of inequality and discrimination are liable to shape a student’s perspective of their profession and ability to progress within nursing”.⁶

The specific impact on research career aspirations is evident in Walker et al.’s (2024) finding that “ethnic minority students also noted the lack of diverse representation within senior nursing positions discouraged career progression within the UK NHS”.⁶ This representation gap creates a cascading effect where the absence of Global Majority role models in research leadership positions perpetuates the perception that such careers are unattainable, thereby limiting research capability development from the earliest stages of professional development.

2.2 Cultural isolation and professional identity

The shortage of visible multicultural leaders creates challenges for research capability development among Global Majority nurses. Without role models who share similar backgrounds and experiences, these nurses may struggle to envision themselves participating in research activities or developing research skills.² This representation gap perpetuates a cycle where the absence of Global Majority nurses with developed research capability reinforces the perception that research roles are unattainable or unwelcoming to people from these backgrounds.

The cultural isolation extends beyond individual experiences to institutional practices—a concern that aligns with Vamadevan et al.’s (2025)¹ finding that “cultural expectations, undervaluing of nursing research, and gendered norms around leadership roles further hinder advancement.” Many healthcare organizations lack culturally responsive mentorship programs or fail to recognize the unique contributions that Global Majority nurses bring to research and practice. This institutional blindness to cultural assets represents a missed opportunity for innovation and improved patient outcomes, particularly for diverse patient populations.

3.1 Career progression disparities

Current NHS workforce statistics reveal significant representation disparities that extend into research capability development. While 39% of nursing staff report being of a minority ethnicity, analysis of senior positions shows that “staff reporting being from ethnic minorities as a whole remain less well represented at senior levels”.⁷ This pattern of decreasing representation at higher organizational levels suggests systemic barriers to advancement that likely extend to research leadership positions. More troubling evidence of systemic bias emerges from regulatory data showing that “although BME nurses make up 19 per cent of the nursing workforce in England they make up 25 per cent of disciplinary cases and they were more likely than White nurses to be reported to the NMC”⁸ This disproportionate regulatory scrutiny suggests an environment where Global Majority nurses face heightened professional oversight, potentially creating additional barriers to research career development where professional standing and institutional trust are crucial for advancement.

3.2 Impact on healthcare innovation and outcomes

The underrepresentation of Global Majority nurses in research capability development has profound implications for healthcare innovation and patient outcomes. Research priorities, methodologies, and interpretations of findings may inadequately address the health needs of diverse populations when research teams lack diversity in their capability development. This limitation is particularly concerning given persistent health inequalities affecting ethnic minority communities in the UK.

Furthermore, the exclusion of Global Majority perspectives from research capability building perpetuates knowledge gaps about culturally responsive care practices and interventions. This represents not only an ethical concern but also a practical limitation that undermines the effectiveness and relevance of healthcare research, particularly in addressing health disparities affecting ethnic minority communities.

4.1 Existing leadership development programs

Several initiatives have emerged to address the underrepresentation of Global Majority staff in healthcare leadership. The Florence Nightingale Foundation’s Leadership Scholarships and NHS England’s Stepping Up Programme represent important steps toward addressing these disparities.^9,10 These programs specifically target Global Majority staff and provide mentorship, development opportunities, and visible platforms for growth.

However, these initiatives, while valuable, operate within broader systems that maintain structural barriers. The success of individual programs cannot overcome systemic discrimination or institutional cultures that remain resistant to change. Moreover, these programs often focus on individual development rather than addressing the structural and cultural factors that create and maintain inequities.

4.2 Limitations of current approaches

Current approaches to addressing diversity in nursing research capability development often adopt a deficit model, focusing on what Global Majority nurses need to develop rather than examining how systems exclude or disadvantage them. This approach places the burden of change on individuals rather than addressing institutional practices that create barriers to research capability development.

Additionally, many diversity initiatives lack sustained funding, clear accountability measures, or integration with broader organizational strategies. Without these elements, programs may achieve limited impact and fail to create lasting change in organizational cultures or practices that support comprehensive research capability development.

5.1 Structural and systemic reforms

Addressing the underrepresentation of Global Majority nurses in research capability development requires comprehensive structural reforms. Healthcare organizations must implement systematic reviews of recruitment, selection, and promotion processes to identify and eliminate bias. This includes developing transparent criteria for research capability development, ensuring diverse selection panels, and implementing accountability measures for achieving diversity targets in research training and development programs.

Research funding bodies should also examine their processes and priorities to ensure equitable access for Global Majority researchers at all levels of capability development. This might include targeted funding streams, bias training for review panels, and requirements for diversity in research teams and capability-building initiatives.

5.2 Mentorship and leadership development

Effective mentorship programs must go beyond traditional models to address the specific needs and experiences of Global Majority nurses. This includes providing mentors who understand the challenges of navigating predominantly white institutions and can offer both professional guidance and cultural support.

Leadership development programs should also incorporate anti-racism training and cultural competency development for all participants, not just those from minority backgrounds. Creating inclusive leadership requires that all leaders understand and can address systemic barriers and bias.

5.3 Organizational culture change

Perhaps most importantly, healthcare organizations must undertake comprehensive culture change initiatives that address systemic racism and create truly inclusive environments. This requires sustained commitment from senior leadership, regular assessment of organizational climate, and willingness to make difficult changes to established practices and norms.

Culture change must be supported by policies that protect Global Majority staff from discrimination and retaliation, provide clear pathways for reporting concerns, and ensure accountability for creating inclusive environments.¹¹ This includes implementing zero-tolerance policies for discriminatory behaviour and creating safe reporting mechanisms.

6.1 Research priorities

Future research should prioritize understanding the specific mechanisms through which systemic barriers operate and the most effective interventions for addressing them. This includes longitudinal studies tracking career progression, evaluation of diversity initiatives, and exploration of organizational factors that support or hinder inclusion.

Research should also examine the impact of increased diversity in research leadership on research quality, innovation, and patient outcomes. Demonstrating these benefits could strengthen the case for investment in diversity and inclusion initiatives.

6.2 Methodological considerations

Research in this area must employ methodologies that can capture the complexity of intersectional experiences and the subtlety of systemic discrimination. This may require innovative approaches that combine quantitative tracking of outcomes with qualitative exploration of experiences and organizational dynamics.