Advance HE has successfully completed one of its largest independent research consultancy commissions from a non-member organisation, delivering a comprehensive evaluation of Health Data Research UK’s (HDR UK) Black Internship Programme (BIP).
The independent review, which assessed BIP between 2021-2024, showcases our expertise in evaluating complex equity and inclusion initiatives in the research and higher education sector. Led by Panagiota Sotiropoulou, Mixed-Methods Researcher at Advance HE, and supported by colleagues Dr Anne Rowan and Dr Nkasi Stoll, the team applied robust mixed-methods approaches to deliver actionable insights for impact, programme development and scaling.
Panagiota Sotiropoulou said, "This commission demonstrates our Insights team's capability in conducting rigorous, independent programme evaluations, responsive to our clients’ needs. We pride ourselves on building strong relationships, dedicating time to co-create and build rapport with our clients, ensuring we deeply understand what it is they want and planning our delivery accordingly.
"Advance HE's expertise in equity, diversity and inclusion, combined with our evidence-led approach, uniquely positions us to support organisations with strategic programme reviews that assess both process and impact while providing practical recommendations."
The evaluation examined HDR UK's efforts to address underrepresentation of Black people in health data science by providing Black students and graduates with holistic paid placements that combine real-world project experience, training and mentoring to launch or advance their careers. Advance HE's comprehensive assessment covered programme design, delivery and impact for both past interns and host organisations, providing the evidence-base needed to inform strategic decisions about the programme's future.
“An independent review was essential for us to ensure that our Black Internship Programme is genuinely impactful. It reflects our commitment to strengthen pathways into the sector and ensure that emerging talent is supported to thrive.
“This review has given us the insights we need to deepen our impact, refine our approach, and continue building a programme that truly empowers Black talent to build their careers with confidence.”
Sarah Cadman, Programme Director for Capacity Building in HDR UK
Key to Advance HE's approach was delivering practical, evidence-led recommendations alongside theory-based evaluation of both the BIP's processes and impact. The review identified high alumni and host organisation satisfaction with the programme's combination of real-world projects, structured training and ongoing mentorship. It also documented clear career impact, with a substantial proportion of alumni progressing into roles or further study in data science.
Critically, Advance HE provided practical next steps to scale the programme, delivering a set of clear recommendations as the initiative enters its next phase.
Read the Advance HE review of HDR UK's Health Data Science Black Internship Programme here
Panagiota Sotiropoulou will present key highlights of the review at the HDR UK online event to celebrate five years of the BIP on 4 December 2025 at 11am. Learn more and watch live