A new survey gives respondents the chance to share experiences of the barriers affecting career advancement for ethnic minority Allied Health Professionals.
The research, titled Career progression of Allied Health Professionals within the NHS in England and conducted by doctoral researcher Mariya Yeldhos at the University of Leicester, aims to understand the experiences, insights and barriers to promotion.
Although there are substantial numbers of individuals from ethnic minority backgrounds in the NHS, Mariya explained, they tend to be found in lower-paid or lower-ranked roles. Her research hopes to explore barriers faced by, and the experiences of, all Allied Health Professionals (AHPs) to learn lessons about what needs to change for ethnic minority AHPs.
Unique career constraints
Mariya said: “Your voice matters, and your input can help to understand AHPs’ experiences and create meaningful impact.”
The imbalance in career advancement, she added, is particularly strong among AHPs, the NHS’s third largest workforce group, who are underrepresented in senior leadership.
Despite policy efforts to promote equity, ethnic minority AHPs in the NHS face challenges such as stereotypes, limited access to leadership training, restricted mentorship and lacking visibility in professional networks.
AHPs must also deal with unique career constraints, such as “isolated” clinical career paths, less structured routes for progression, and limited visibility in their organisations, Mariya continued.
Development, diversity and inclusion
By looking at those who have had success in their career progression, the project hopes to draw lessons from their experience and contribute to discussions on workforce development, diversity, and inclusion.
The project began its data collection phase in summer 2025 and is expected to finish in 2027. Research data will be collected through interviews, online surveys and field notes.
The survey aims to capture patterns across a wider group of participants, while the interview will focus on the professional experiences of some participants in depth.
This work is independent of the NHS, and all responses will remain confidential to the researchers.
Any AHPs of Band 5 or above with work experience in the NHS in England are eligible to participate. Completing the survey will also enter participants for a chance to win one of two £25 vouchers.
Find out more information and complete the survey online now.