Birmingham Public Health researcher recognised in Black Talent Awards

Professor Yemisi Takwoingi has won the 2024 award for Public Sector/Services, NHS and Education in the Evenfields Black Talent Awards.

Yemisi holding her prize surrounded by a group of smiling people in 'black tie' clothing.

Professor Yemisi Takwoingi collecting her prize at the Black Talent Award ceremony, which took place earlier this month.

Yemisi Takwoingi, Professor of Test Evaluation and Evidence Synthesis and Head of Applied Health Sciences in the College of Medicine and Health at the University of Birmingham, was selected for her contributions to the Public Sector, NHS and Education. The honour celebrates her success as a role model for those aspiring to work in Science Technology Engineering and Maths (STEM). The award also celebrates the various ways that she supports students and colleagues to seize opportunities for development and progression in their health and social care careers.

I’m overwhelmed but delighted and grateful to all the people who have supported me, my family, my colleagues. It’s brilliant to be recognised for working hard to support people. I want to continue to inspire more people to get the message across that we can do great things.

Yemisi Takwoingi, Professor of Test Evaluation and Evidence Synthesis and Department of Applied Health Science.

She is a biostatistician/methodologist with an interest in evaluating medical tests for different health conditions to find out if they are fit for purpose. For the last year Professor Takwoingi has also been leading the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Race Equity and Diversity in Careers (REDiC) Incubator, which looks to understand and address barriers faced by researchers from ethnic minority backgrounds when applying for funding.

The Evenfields Black Talent Awards recognise and celebrate the outstanding performance and achievements of Black professionals across the UK, including both employees and employers. The organisation promotes diversity-based recruitment to help under-represented minority groups at the grassroots, especially black and ethnic minorities.

As an inclusive employer, the University is proud to be working with Evenfields Careers to support our efforts in reaching a broad audience and attracting applications from across the demographics of the West Midlands region.