Horizon Awards 2026: Afua Acheampong named as winner of Dorothy Jones Award
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Afua Acheampong
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Equality, Diversity and Inclusion leader Afua Acheampong has been named as the winner of the Dorothy Jones Diversity & Inclusion Achievement Award.
The prize is part of the Applied Microbiology International Horizon Awards 2026, which celebrate the brightest minds in the field and promote the research, groups, projects, products and individuals who continue to help shape the future of applied microbiology.
The Dorothy Jones Diversity and Inclusion Achievement Award honours the legacy of Dorothy Jones by recognising outstanding contributions to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion within STEM. This award aligns with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, which recognise that reduced inequalities are a core factor in attaining peace and prosperity for people and the planet.
It celebrates individuals and organisations whose work has delivered meaningful, real-world progress in widening participation, improving representation, and fostering inclusive research, education, and professional environments.
The award recognises initiatives that dismantle barriers to participation in STEM for underrepresented and marginalised groups, and that embed inclusive principles into policy, practice, education, and research. It highlights leadership and sustained commitment to building a more diverse, equitable, and resilient scientific workforce.
Afua Acheampong is a senior Equality, Diversity and Inclusion leader, strategist and speaker with more than eight years’ experience advancing racial equity across higher education and research institutions.
In her most recent role as Head of the Black Internship Programme at Health Data Research UK (HDR UK), she led the strategic design, delivery and expansion of a national programme focused on improving access, equity and career development for Black students and graduates in health data science.
“I am absolutely humbled to receive the Dorothy Jones Diversity & Inclusion Achievement Award. This recognition is particularly meaningful given its alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals, which were an anchoring focus early in my career,” Ms Acheampong said.
“To me, this award highlights not so much my own contributions, but the importance of advancing equity and inclusion, particularly within STEM. I am grateful to the colleagues, communities and institutions who have encouraged and supported my work, and to Applied Microbiology International for recognising and championing the importance of diversity and inclusion within the sciences. “
Afua 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.
Previously, Afua 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 is Deputy Chair of the Black in Biomedical Research Advisory Group (BBRAG), a national Medical Research Council board overseeing investment into racial equity in biomedical research. She also serves as Finance Chair of the Minoritised Life Scientists Future Forum (MLSFF), where she leads financial oversight and governance for the conference. Afua previously served 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.
“Equality, Diversity and Inclusion is demanding work, but its importance cannot be overstated. It is essential to celebrate diversity whilst challenging the inequalities that disproportionately disadvantage underrepresented groups. Meaningful EDI work is inherently an opportunity to challenge and be challenged, particularly when voices that have traditionally been absent are brought into the room,” she said.
“Interestingly, my career in EDI began through my growing interest in attainment and progression gaps within STEM at my institution. This was perhaps a natural fit, as my parents had been particularly encouraging of me pursuing a career in STEM. Unknowingly, this kickstarted a career that has led to my work being published in The Guardian, recognition from the Mayor of London, appointments to several national advisory boards, opportunities to present my research at national conferences and, most importantly, the opportunity to make a difference to students and staff who look like me.
“In the earliest stages of my career, I was often the youngest in the room, with little, if any, representation of people from my background. Yet, I was afforded opportunity after opportunity to use my voice to amplify the differing experiences of others. The support I have received from institutions that have championed my work reminds me of the power of collective approaches to addressing barriers across higher education, research institutions and STEM.
“Successful EDI work is often difficult to measure, particularly given the slow but meaningful progress across the sector. To me, opening doors to even just one individual can change the trajectory of their story. Rather fittingly, STEM opened its doors to me, despite my own background being outside the sciences.
“Receiving the 2026 Dorothy Jones Diversity & Inclusion Achievement Award is particularly meaningful, given that my career began with a desire to address inequalities within STEM. When I reflect on this recognition, a few things spring to mind.
“Firstly, I think of and thank the Medical Research Council’s Black in Biomedical Research Advisory Group (BBRAG). As a collective, we have championed, highlighted and strengthened the beauty of diversity in the biomedical sciences over the last few years, and I am grateful to be part of, and continually inspired by, such an incredible community of Black professors, scientists and professionals.
“Secondly, my mind goes to the committee of the Minoritised Life Scientists Future Forum (MLSFF), a formidable collection of trailblazers whom I feel privileged to work alongside and even more fortunate to call colleagues and friends.
“Last but not least, my family. Perhaps they have not always understood my work, but nonetheless champion and challenge me.”
For 2027, the Horizon Awards portfolio is expanding with three new Early Career Excellence Awards, recognising emerging researchers making an impact in environmental conservation, food security and innovation, and public health. The established WH Pierce Prize, the Christiana Figueres Policy to Practice Award, and the Dorothy Jones Diversity and Inclusion Achievement Award remain open to researchers across career stages, with criteria that allow early career researchers to compete on an equal footing.
The winners of all nine awards will be announced and celebrated at the LAM ECR Symposium at Queen Mary University of London in June 2027, bringing together established leaders and the next generation of applied microbiologists for a celebration of achievement across our community.
Know someone whose work deserves recognition? Nominate them for a 2027 Horizon Award.
Notes to editors
- Applied Microbiology International (AMI) is the oldest microbiology society in the UK and with more than half of its membership outside the UK, is truly global, serving microbiologists based in universities, private industry and research institutes around the world.
- AMI provides funding to encourage research and broad participation at its events and to ensure diverse voices are around the table working together to solve the sustainability development goals it has chosen to support.
- AMI publishes leading industry magazine, The Microbiologist, and in partnership with Oxford University Press, publishes three internationally acclaimed journals. It gives a voice to applied microbiologists around the world, amplifying their collective influence and informing international, evidence-based, decision making.
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