Afua (pronounced A-fee-a) joined HDR UK as Head of the Black Internship Programme in December 2025. In this role she leads the strategic design, delivery and expansion of Health Data Research UK’s flagship programme which is focused on improving access, equity and career development opportunities for Black students and graduates in health data science.

Afua is a senior Equality, Diversity and Inclusion leader, strategist and speaker with over seven years’ experience advancing racial equity across higher education and research institutions. She is the creator of the Nottingham Trent University Black Leadership Programme, a nationally recognised initiative she designed whilst Vice President of Education at Nottingham Trent Students’ Union. Created in 2019, the programme has supported and graduated over 800 Black students, and continues to support students in building confidence, leadership capability and a strong sense of belonging. Today, the programme remains a leading model for inclusive practice in Higher Education.

Afua most recently led race equality at Queen Mary University of London, where she secured the institution’s first Race Equality Charter award. Her practice focuses on institutional culture change, increasing representation of minoritised staff, and embedding race equity across policy and leadership.

At a national level, Afua sits on the Black in Biomedical Research Advisory Group (BBRAG), a national Medical Research Council board overseeing a £3.7 million investment into racial equity in biomedical research. She is also Finance Chair of the Minoritised Life Scientists Future Forum (MLSFF). Previously, Afua sat on the Office for Students Teaching Excellence Framework Advisory Board.

Afua holds a degree in Law (LLB) from Nottingham Trent University and completed study abroad at Western Washington University, studying Political Science.