In recent years, the scientific community has increasingly turned its attention to the pervasive and deeply rooted issues of racism within professional fields. One emerging area of critical concern is the veterinary profession, traditionally regarded as a bastion of scientific impartiality and compassion. However, a groundbreaking study published in BMC Psychology reveals a starkly different reality for veterinary professionals and students within the United Kingdom. The research unearths harrowing accounts and complex emotional landscapes shaped by experiences of racism, offering not only a sociological snapshot but also a critical lens through which systemic inequities in this specialized field can be understood and addressed.
The study’s title, evocative and visceral—“It shreds me from within”—captures the profound psychological and emotional toll racism exerts on those navigating the veterinary profession. This thematic analysis, conducted by King, Cardwell, Lewis, and colleagues, meticulously explores narratives from both working professionals and students, threading together patterns of discrimination that, until now, have often been overlooked or minimized in scientific discourse. Far from superficial, the impacts documented permeate identity, mental health, and professional aspirations, challenging the dominant myth of meritocracy in veterinary science.
At the core of the research methodology lies thematic analysis, a qualitative research method adept at uncovering latent themes in complex datasets. By engaging with personal accounts, the researchers decode the nuanced ways in which racism manifests—ranging from overt derogatory remarks and exclusionary behaviors to subtle microaggressions that erode confidence and sense of belonging over time. The selection of this method aligns with contemporary psychological research standards, enabling a fine-grained exploration of the interplay between systemic issues and individual experiences within veterinary institutions.
One of the most striking revelations of the study is the dual-front struggle faced by veterinary students and professionals of minoritized racial backgrounds. Not only do they confront the rigorous academic and practical demands of the profession, but they also bear the invisible burden of navigating racially charged environments. This manifests in chronic stress, isolation, and in many cases, a crisis of professional identity. The emotional metaphor embedded in the study’s title underscores the internal fragmentation that occurs for individuals who must continuously reconcile their passion for veterinary medicine with the hostile undertones pervading their daily encounters.
The research elaborates on historical and structural dimensions that underpin these experiences. The veterinary profession in the UK, much like other STEM fields, is historically steeped in demographic homogeneity, predominantly white and middle-class. This demographic skewing perpetuates a cycle whereby racial minorities remain underrepresented, under-mentored, and often invisible within academic and professional circles. Consequently, the cultural capital necessary to thrive in this environment is frequently inaccessible to those outside the established majority, exacerbating feelings of alienation and marginalization.
Additionally, the study illuminates the psychological sequelae of sustained exposure to racism, including rampant anxiety, depressive symptoms, and lowered self-esteem among veterinary professionals and students alike. These mental health impacts, when intertwined with the demands of the profession, raise significant concerns about attrition rates, professional burnout, and the loss of diverse talent within veterinary science. The authors argue convincingly that without targeted interventions, both the individuals affected and the profession at large stand to suffer considerable detriment.
A scientifically informed understanding of these phenomena necessitates integrating cross-disciplinary perspectives, from social psychology to organizational behavior. The researchers situate their findings within theoretical frameworks such as minority stress theory, which elucidates how chronic exposure to prejudice can result in adverse health outcomes. They also draw upon concepts of epistemic injustice—whereby the knowledge and experiences of racial minorities are systemically dismissed or disbelieved—further highlighting the complexity of the problem beyond mere interpersonal discrimination.
In addressing these challenges, the study calls for comprehensive institutional reforms. It advocates for embedding anti-racist policies at multiple levels—curriculum design, mentorship programs, recruitment strategies, and workplace culture initiatives. The implication is clear: tackling racism in veterinary medicine requires dismantling entrenched power dynamics and creating equitable spaces where all voices are heard and valued. Such transformations must be driven by data-informed strategies, leveraging the insights gained from thematic analyses like this one to tailor interventions that resonate with lived realities.
The significance of this research extends beyond the veterinary profession itself. It resonates with broader societal conversations around diversity, equity, and inclusion in highly specialized professional domains. By rigorously documenting the impact of racism in veterinary science, the study contributes to a growing body of evidence that challenges complacency and demands accountability across scientific disciplines. This underscores an urgent need for funding bodies, professional associations, and academic institutions to prioritize equity-focused research and policies.
Moreover, the vivid personal testimonies included in the study bring an essential human dimension to what might otherwise be abstract theorizing. These narratives convey resilience and a desire for systemic change, reflecting a collective yearning within the community for not only survival but thriving within a profession that values all its members equally. Such qualitative depth enriches the empirical findings and serves as a catalyst for dialogue and action among stakeholders.
Importantly, the study navigates potential methodological limitations with transparency. The authors discuss sampling constraints and acknowledge the complexities inherent in capturing the full spectrum of racial experiences. Nonetheless, the breadth and depth of data collected provide a compelling foundation to inform ongoing research and policy development, leaving a roadmap for future inquiry that can build upon these critical insights.
The implications for mental health support within veterinary education and practice are profound. The evidence suggests that culturally competent counseling and peer support structures must be integrally woven into professional development frameworks. Addressing systemic racism is not solely a social justice imperative but a crucial determinant of the psychological wellbeing and retention of veterinary professionals.
This research also prompts a reassessment of veterinary ethics and professional codes of conduct. It challenges governing bodies to incorporate explicit anti-racist commitments and mechanisms for reporting and addressing discrimination. The complexity and subtlety of contemporary racism demand vigilant and proactive policy-making, coupled with ongoing education to foster genuine inclusivity.
In sum, the thematic analysis performed by King and colleagues represents a seminal contribution to understanding the intersection of race and professional identity in veterinary science. Beyond highlighting problems, it provides a foundation upon which meaningful change can be constructed. The study serves as both a mirror and a call to action—reflecting painful truths while urging the profession toward greater justice and equity.
As the findings circulate within academic and professional circles, they have the potential to spark a viral wave of awareness and reform. The meticulous documentation of lived experiences supplies compelling evidence that cannot be ignored or sanitized. In drawing public attention, this research elevates discourse about race in science, encouraging a much-needed reckoning that ultimately benefits the entire veterinary community and society.
The ongoing challenge will be to transform these insights into concrete, sustainable changes that improve diversity and wellbeing within the veterinary profession. Efforts must be collaborative and intersectional, encompassing stakeholders from students to senior practitioners, policymakers to educators. Only through sustained commitment and openness to difficult truths can the profession hope to dismantle the internalized and systemic wounds inflicted by racism.
This pioneering work, therefore, stands at the forefront of a vital movement toward a more inclusive and humane veterinary field. It offers hope that by acknowledging and addressing the deep fissures racism causes, veterinary science can evolve—embracing diversity not only as a goal but as an essential source of strength and innovation for the future. The profession’s capacity to heal animals must, paradoxically, begin with healing itself from the inside out.
Subject of Research: The psychological and professional impact of racism on veterinary professionals and students in the United Kingdom.
Article Title: “It shreds me from within”: thematic analysis of the impact of racism on veterinary professionals and students in the United Kingdom.
Article References:
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). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-025-02481-x
Image Credits: AI Generated
