Dr Saher Ahmed
@drsaherahmed.bsky.social
All things research equity and inclusion
https://www.saherahmed.com/
Visiting Scholar at The University of Cambridge
Previously Head of EDI at the Wellcome Sanger Institute + EDI at The Institute of Physics
Physicist, Mum and 🐈 owner
https://www.saherahmed.com/
Visiting Scholar at The University of Cambridge
Previously Head of EDI at the Wellcome Sanger Institute + EDI at The Institute of Physics
Physicist, Mum and 🐈 owner
I do a lot of road running and my feet are not enjoying the experience 😭 I think it's time for a trainer update 👟 Any recommendations for good running shoes...? I'm looking for comfort, I'm not speedy 😅
August 31, 2025 at 9:28 AM
I do a lot of road running and my feet are not enjoying the experience 😭 I think it's time for a trainer update 👟 Any recommendations for good running shoes...? I'm looking for comfort, I'm not speedy 😅
Reposted by Dr Saher Ahmed
🚨NEW FUNDING: Introducing the 2025 Round of the @wellcometrust.bsky.social Accelerator Awards! 🚨
Our funding scheme for researchers of Black, Bangladeshi and Pakistani applications has reopened.
💰 £200,000 per researcher
🗓️ Up to two years
✅ Apply by 15 July 2025
⤵️https://lnkd.in/e6PT-TQR
Our funding scheme for researchers of Black, Bangladeshi and Pakistani applications has reopened.
💰 £200,000 per researcher
🗓️ Up to two years
✅ Apply by 15 July 2025
⤵️https://lnkd.in/e6PT-TQR
May 8, 2025 at 2:55 PM
🚨NEW FUNDING: Introducing the 2025 Round of the @wellcometrust.bsky.social Accelerator Awards! 🚨
Our funding scheme for researchers of Black, Bangladeshi and Pakistani applications has reopened.
💰 £200,000 per researcher
🗓️ Up to two years
✅ Apply by 15 July 2025
⤵️https://lnkd.in/e6PT-TQR
Our funding scheme for researchers of Black, Bangladeshi and Pakistani applications has reopened.
💰 £200,000 per researcher
🗓️ Up to two years
✅ Apply by 15 July 2025
⤵️https://lnkd.in/e6PT-TQR
I'm so honoured to be starting as a Visiting Scholar at @cambridgeuni.bsky.social 😊Excited to grow my work in research equity, ethics and inclusion; learn from brilliant minds, and be part of such a thoughtful community 🤩 If you're working in this space—or just curious—I'd love to connect 😀
April 27, 2025 at 8:59 AM
I'm so honoured to be starting as a Visiting Scholar at @cambridgeuni.bsky.social 😊Excited to grow my work in research equity, ethics and inclusion; learn from brilliant minds, and be part of such a thoughtful community 🤩 If you're working in this space—or just curious—I'd love to connect 😀
Reposted by Dr Saher Ahmed
KLAXON 🚨: Indie SAGE has come out of retirement to release a new short report standing up for diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in the sciences!
DEI is not just the right thing to do, it *improves* the quality of the science. Please read and share.
independentsage.org/wp-content/u...
1/2
DEI is not just the right thing to do, it *improves* the quality of the science. Please read and share.
independentsage.org/wp-content/u...
1/2
March 17, 2025 at 11:53 AM
KLAXON 🚨: Indie SAGE has come out of retirement to release a new short report standing up for diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in the sciences!
DEI is not just the right thing to do, it *improves* the quality of the science. Please read and share.
independentsage.org/wp-content/u...
1/2
DEI is not just the right thing to do, it *improves* the quality of the science. Please read and share.
independentsage.org/wp-content/u...
1/2
Reposted by Dr Saher Ahmed
I said: "I believe that far from stepping away [from EDI], the UKRI and the UK scientific establishment more broadly should see the current situation as an opportunity to step up, to show global leadership in maintaining momentum towards a fairer and more effective innovation ecosystem."
February 15, 2025 at 11:51 AM
I said: "I believe that far from stepping away [from EDI], the UKRI and the UK scientific establishment more broadly should see the current situation as an opportunity to step up, to show global leadership in maintaining momentum towards a fairer and more effective innovation ecosystem."
www.timeshighereducation.com/news/trumps-...
"Building a more diverse scientific community is – in my opinion – a question of fairness and justice.." “It’s also a question of what is good for science and innovation." @profrachelgan.bsky.social 👐🏽
"Building a more diverse scientific community is – in my opinion – a question of fairness and justice.." “It’s also a question of what is good for science and innovation." @profrachelgan.bsky.social 👐🏽
Trump’s DEI crackdown ‘could block US-UK research collaborations’
‘No academic friend of mine is not deeply worried about this,’ says scholar
www.timeshighereducation.com
February 15, 2025 at 9:30 AM
www.timeshighereducation.com/news/trumps-...
"Building a more diverse scientific community is – in my opinion – a question of fairness and justice.." “It’s also a question of what is good for science and innovation." @profrachelgan.bsky.social 👐🏽
"Building a more diverse scientific community is – in my opinion – a question of fairness and justice.." “It’s also a question of what is good for science and innovation." @profrachelgan.bsky.social 👐🏽
Reposted by Dr Saher Ahmed
Last night I found out that the NSF math postdoctoral fellowship I applied for is being deleted because it does not comply with Trump’s executive orders on DEI in the federal government. I’m going to answer some FAQs and share some thoughts about this ordeal in this thread 1/n
February 8, 2025 at 6:42 PM
Last night I found out that the NSF math postdoctoral fellowship I applied for is being deleted because it does not comply with Trump’s executive orders on DEI in the federal government. I’m going to answer some FAQs and share some thoughts about this ordeal in this thread 1/n
Reposted by Dr Saher Ahmed
Today I am giving a lecture at Sheffield Hallam funded by @roysocchem.bsky.social exploring my life and times in chemistry, including a bit of our research alongside what it means to be an LGBT+ scientist.
It is possible to register for online attendance:
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/catalysing...
It is possible to register for online attendance:
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/catalysing...
February 4, 2025 at 10:03 AM
Today I am giving a lecture at Sheffield Hallam funded by @roysocchem.bsky.social exploring my life and times in chemistry, including a bit of our research alongside what it means to be an LGBT+ scientist.
It is possible to register for online attendance:
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/catalysing...
It is possible to register for online attendance:
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/catalysing...
Reposted by Dr Saher Ahmed
Cool, cool, very cool. Not nightmare fuel. Not at all. Just some wicked cool spiders. Very cool.
Goodnight, interwebs. Sleep tight. Don't let the bigger, more venomous species of the Sydney funnel-web spider bite.
Goodnight, interwebs. Sleep tight. Don't let the bigger, more venomous species of the Sydney funnel-web spider bite.
Australian scientists have discovered a bigger, more venomous species of the Sydney funnel-web spider, one of the world's deadliest reut.rs/40wJgG3
Australian scientists discover bigger species of deadly funnel web spiders
Australian scientists have discovered a bigger, more venomous species of the Sydney funnel-web spider, one of the world's deadliest.
reut.rs
January 14, 2025 at 9:53 AM
Cool, cool, very cool. Not nightmare fuel. Not at all. Just some wicked cool spiders. Very cool.
Goodnight, interwebs. Sleep tight. Don't let the bigger, more venomous species of the Sydney funnel-web spider bite.
Goodnight, interwebs. Sleep tight. Don't let the bigger, more venomous species of the Sydney funnel-web spider bite.
Reposted by Dr Saher Ahmed
Our paper on nurturing a #PositiveResearchCulture within your #research #team published by @wellcometrust.bsky.social gives useful tips for your lab. As well as making you a good team leader, nurturing culture pays off in building your science: 1/11
wellcomeopenresearch.org/articles/9-3...
wellcomeopenresearch.org/articles/9-3...
wellcomeopenresearch.org
January 14, 2025 at 9:55 AM
Our paper on nurturing a #PositiveResearchCulture within your #research #team published by @wellcometrust.bsky.social gives useful tips for your lab. As well as making you a good team leader, nurturing culture pays off in building your science: 1/11
wellcomeopenresearch.org/articles/9-3...
wellcomeopenresearch.org/articles/9-3...
Hopefully we can troop out of our offices soon ( like these happy M&Ms... 🤣) and have a bit of R&R. Happy holidays 🥳💚
December 23, 2024 at 9:10 AM
Hopefully we can troop out of our offices soon ( like these happy M&Ms... 🤣) and have a bit of R&R. Happy holidays 🥳💚
Reposted by Dr Saher Ahmed
Reading the paper in Cell about how to close the scissor plots in gender representation at senior academic positions, I feel just a touch of pessimism. Having reached a level of seniority (middle management) I didn’t think I ever would, I read these great ideas wanting more, much more /1.
Closing the scissor-shaped curve: Strategies to promote gender equality in academia
Gender inequality in STEM fields remains pervasive and undermines the ability for
talented individuals to excel. Despite advances, women still encounter obstacles in
pursuing academic careers and reac...
www.cell.com
December 1, 2024 at 4:12 AM
Reading the paper in Cell about how to close the scissor plots in gender representation at senior academic positions, I feel just a touch of pessimism. Having reached a level of seniority (middle management) I didn’t think I ever would, I read these great ideas wanting more, much more /1.
Reposted by Dr Saher Ahmed
I'm also someone who advocated and to some extent continues to advocate for a data driven approach to EDI. However, I didn't originally set out to be an advocate for data. I started out asking a simple question that I hoped would prompt targeted intervention & which happened to need data to answer.
Even as someone who really advocated for data driven approach to ED&I, I stand with a level of cynicism today because it FAILS those who CANNOT be captured and described with the required statistical power.
It’s time to turn the focus on the workplace cultures pushing hard working women out. /5
It’s time to turn the focus on the workplace cultures pushing hard working women out. /5
December 1, 2024 at 9:56 AM
I'm also someone who advocated and to some extent continues to advocate for a data driven approach to EDI. However, I didn't originally set out to be an advocate for data. I started out asking a simple question that I hoped would prompt targeted intervention & which happened to need data to answer.
www.thehighergood.net/articles/foo...
Lots to think about here 🤔
Lots to think about here 🤔
Food for Thought: the year-end feast — www.thehighergood.net
You could be forgiven for worrying that many key debates in higher education rarely seem to move on, and that 2025 will bring the same old talk. We shouldn’t accept that this is inevitable! The perfec...
www.thehighergood.net
December 16, 2024 at 4:46 PM
www.thehighergood.net/articles/foo...
Lots to think about here 🤔
Lots to think about here 🤔
Reposted by Dr Saher Ahmed
The second edition of the Research Excellence Awards is now OPEN to applications. @blackinplantsci.bsky.social in partnership with @aabiologists.bsky.social are unlocking this prize to celebrate talent of Black and Black heritage working with plants in UK. Apply at blackinplantscience.org
Black in Plant Science – UK
blackinplantscience.org
December 6, 2024 at 7:06 AM
The second edition of the Research Excellence Awards is now OPEN to applications. @blackinplantsci.bsky.social in partnership with @aabiologists.bsky.social are unlocking this prize to celebrate talent of Black and Black heritage working with plants in UK. Apply at blackinplantscience.org
Reposted by Dr Saher Ahmed
**Black UK PhD students**
Fully funded PhD study - fees and stipend
-Faculty of Arts, Law and Social Sciences
-Faculty of Health and Life Sciences
**Tell everyone**
www.bristol.ac.uk/study/postgr...
Fully funded PhD study - fees and stipend
-Faculty of Arts, Law and Social Sciences
-Faculty of Health and Life Sciences
**Tell everyone**
www.bristol.ac.uk/study/postgr...
Black heritage PhD scholarships | Study at Bristol | University of Bristol
We welcome applications for full scholarships to postgraduate research programmes starting in 2025.
www.bristol.ac.uk
December 8, 2024 at 5:55 PM
**Black UK PhD students**
Fully funded PhD study - fees and stipend
-Faculty of Arts, Law and Social Sciences
-Faculty of Health and Life Sciences
**Tell everyone**
www.bristol.ac.uk/study/postgr...
Fully funded PhD study - fees and stipend
-Faculty of Arts, Law and Social Sciences
-Faculty of Health and Life Sciences
**Tell everyone**
www.bristol.ac.uk/study/postgr...
Reposted by Dr Saher Ahmed
📖 Excited to share our new article, out now in @elife.bsky.social: elifesciences.org/articles/102... Our annotated readling list on neurodiversity is a result of the collaborative efforts of a fantastic, multidisciplinary & neurodiverse team
Point of View: An annotated introductory reading list for neurodiversity
A collaboratively developed annotated reading list expands upon core themes in neurodiversity, aiming to enhance understanding and to promote rigorous, destigmatizing, and inclusive practices in resea...
elifesciences.org
December 4, 2024 at 1:58 PM
📖 Excited to share our new article, out now in @elife.bsky.social: elifesciences.org/articles/102... Our annotated readling list on neurodiversity is a result of the collaborative efforts of a fantastic, multidisciplinary & neurodiverse team
Reposted by Dr Saher Ahmed
Triggered partly by John Lewis Christmas ads and partly by a conversation I had today…why do some people still think that marginalised people are now unfairly over-represented in positions of power and/or on TV, when all the data I’ve seen suggests this isn’t the case…?
December 2, 2024 at 5:56 PM
Triggered partly by John Lewis Christmas ads and partly by a conversation I had today…why do some people still think that marginalised people are now unfairly over-represented in positions of power and/or on TV, when all the data I’ve seen suggests this isn’t the case…?
Reposted by Dr Saher Ahmed
**Black UK PhD students**
This is the programme you want! It is all the bells and whistles, full fees and stipend, any subject, industrial experience offered, 50 other Black scholars already on board and administrated in an environment of care.
**Tell everyone**
This is the programme you want! It is all the bells and whistles, full fees and stipend, any subject, industrial experience offered, 50 other Black scholars already on board and administrated in an environment of care.
**Tell everyone**
Applications for our Scholarships are now open for October 2025 entry – apply by 31 January 2025. We’ll hold a number of information sessions, so keep an eye out! Until then, read up on things through our website.
December 2, 2024 at 5:35 PM
**Black UK PhD students**
This is the programme you want! It is all the bells and whistles, full fees and stipend, any subject, industrial experience offered, 50 other Black scholars already on board and administrated in an environment of care.
**Tell everyone**
This is the programme you want! It is all the bells and whistles, full fees and stipend, any subject, industrial experience offered, 50 other Black scholars already on board and administrated in an environment of care.
**Tell everyone**
This time last year I was thrilled to be invited to speak at the first Munich for Women in Science Event 😊 Huge thanks to Ele Zeggini and @www.helmholtz-munich.de for the invitation 🙏🏽The snow then came and I got stuck in Munich 😅 Remember the adventures @shomarilw.bsky.social 😆
November 29, 2024 at 5:16 PM
This time last year I was thrilled to be invited to speak at the first Munich for Women in Science Event 😊 Huge thanks to Ele Zeggini and @www.helmholtz-munich.de for the invitation 🙏🏽The snow then came and I got stuck in Munich 😅 Remember the adventures @shomarilw.bsky.social 😆
Strange cat in the garden - Cruella the Cat is not happy 😾
November 28, 2024 at 9:01 PM
Strange cat in the garden - Cruella the Cat is not happy 😾
Reposted by Dr Saher Ahmed
November 24, 2024 at 6:02 PM