Introduction
Psychological theories of workplace inclusion have been critiqued for insufficient consideration of the contextual factors shaping perceptions of inclusion (Randel, 2025). One example is the study racial inclusion in organisations where focus is mostly on the experience of minority ethnic employees who are in a numerical minority. This focus, although essential, provides a partial picture of the inclusion experience for minorities, and leaves us under-equipped to analyse inclusion in fields where minority ethnic employees are well-represented but where race-related issues remain, such as the UK medical profession (Esmail & Everington, 2025).
Purpose
To deepen understanding of workplace inclusion through examination of how minority ethnic inclusion is experienced within an ethnically diverse profession.
Method
Qualitative interviews were conducted with 33 UK-trained senior doctors from minority ethnic backgrounds working in the UK. Inductive analysis highlighted how and when the doctors experienced workplace inclusion and how their ethnicity and the ethnic composition of where they worked and trained contributed.
Results
Findings show the sense of inclusion for minority ethnic doctors developed over time was linked to an increased sense of value to the profession as they developed as independent practitioners. However ethnicity, and other aspects of identity, played a key role in how, when and with whom that sense of inclusion was experienced. In addition, the findings demonstrate how racial discrimination remains a part of the experience of minority ethnic doctors despite the diversity within the profession.


Conclusions.
We advance theory on inclusion at work by offering a deeper analysis of how it is experienced by minority ethnic employees working in a diverse profession. Our analysis shows how broader contextual factors shape the experience and perception of inclusion. With this work we make an important contribution both to psychological theory and to understanding of race-related issue in organisations within contemporary multi-ethnic societies.