The Research Schools Network is intentional in promoting, developing and sustaining evidence advocates who represent a diverse range of backgrounds and perspectives. Through this, we want to make sure that our mission – to improve educational attainment for children and young people from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds across the diverse communities we serve – is reflected in everything we do.

Since renewing our focus on developing diverse voices, we have:

• Sought external expertise to develop the scope and objectives of this work.
• Set up a working group of colleagues from across the Research Schools Network to develop clear priorities.
• Taken steps to understand the current diversity of voices within our network.
• Worked closely with the network to develop guidance on how to reflect greater diversity within Research School teams and within Research School blogs, videos etc.

These developments are a positive start, but we recognise that there is more to do. We will continue to work collaboratively to create an increasingly diverse network of voices.