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 Published: 24 Jun 2025 | Last Updated: 24 Jun 2025 16:26:26

A new study from the Royal Veterinary College (RVC), London South Bank University and the British Veterinary Ethnicity and Diversity Society, has found racism continues to be a persistent problem experienced by Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) members of the UK veterinary sector. The analysis shows more needs to be done within the profession to acknowledge, raise awareness of, and dismantle the systemic and often overlooked forms of racism that exist.

Academics from the ºÚÁÏÉç including Dr Jackie Cardwell, Associate Professor in Epidemiology; Dr Christine Thuranira-McKeever, Vice Principal (Equity, Diversity and Inclusion) and Director of Distance Learning; and Dr Victoria Crossley, former Research Impact Officer; as well as other sector experts set out to gain an in-depth understanding of the psychological effects of racism on BAME people employed or studying in the UK’s veterinary sector.

Across the world, there are many calls to meaningfully challenge and address racism in the workplace. While extensive research has been conducted on the experiences of BAME people in professions with relatively high ethnic diversity, very limited research has been undertaken in professions with relatively low ethnic diversity, such as the veterinary sector. This lack of research to date may be impacting the amount of change being made and could be causing members of society to be overlooked.

This qualitative study was therefore designed to advance the sector’s existing understanding, inviting all BAME veterinary professionals and students in the UK to complete an online questionnaire, containing open questions about their experiences. This was distributed online, in veterinary schools, veterinary organisations and the media, with responses analysed using inductive and deductive approaches.

The findings identified three key themes regarding BAME people’s experiences in the sector. These were alienation and insecurity; homogenisation and inferiorisation; and disappointment and futility; with an overarching theme of identity conflict. Subsequently, the research concluded that racism was a persistent problem experienced by BAME professionals and students in the veterinary profession, leading to a loss of a positive sense of personal and professional identity.

Dr Christine Thuranira-McKeever, Vice Principal (Equity, Diversity and Inclusion) and Director of Distance Learning at the ºÚÁÏÉç, said:

“At the ºÚÁÏÉç, we are committed to fostering equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) within the sector and have implemented several initiatives – aligned with our Strategic Plan in which EDI is a core component – to encourage participation from underrepresented groups. This includes the ºÚÁÏÉç For All campaign and Veterinary Gateway Programme to broaden access to veterinary education; the ºÚÁÏÉç's Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Committee and Race Equality Task Group to focus on addressing racial disparities and shaping policy; and Animal Aspirations, founded in 2019 by ºÚÁÏÉç students, to support individuals from minority backgrounds.

“However, there is more to be done, and the findings of this study emphasise a significant need for the veterinary profession to come together and do more to acknowledge and raise awareness of the systemic and often overlooked forms of racism, to challenge and dismantle them, and to empower those who are affected.”

The project was funded by the Sarah Brown Mental Health Research Grant from the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons’ Mind Matters Initiative.

Notes to Editors

Reference

King, N., Cardwell, J.M., Lewis, E.G. et al. “It shreds me from within”: thematic analysis of the impact of racism on veterinary professionals and students in the United Kingdom. BMC Psychol 13, 585 (2025).

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ºÚÁÏÉç the ºÚÁÏÉç

• The Royal Veterinary College (RVC) is the UK's largest and longest established independent veterinary school and is a Member Institution of the University of London. 
• It is one of the few veterinary schools in the world that hold accreditations from the RCVS in the UK (with associated recognition from the AVBC for Australasia, the VCI for Ireland and the SAVC for South Africa), the EAEVE in the EU, and AVMA (probationary) in the USA and Canada. 
• The ºÚÁÏÉç is ranked as the top veterinary school in the world in the QS World University Rankings by subject, 2025. 
• The ºÚÁÏÉç offers undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in veterinary medicine, veterinary nursing and biological sciences. 
• The ºÚÁÏÉç is a research-led institution, with 88% of its research rated as internationally excellent or world class in the Research Excellence Framework 2021. 
• The ºÚÁÏÉç provides animal owners and the veterinary profession with access to expert veterinary care and advice through its teaching hospitals and first opinion practices in London and Hertfordshire.