The Physiological Society is pleased to support a new report into Diversity & Inclusion in the STEM workforce, released today (20 July).
The All-Party Parliamentary Group on Diversity & Inclusion in STEM has launched its report following an Inquiry on Equity in the STEM workforce, based on written evidence from over 85 organisations and individuals, four evidence roundtables with over 40 attendees and additional desk research comprising over 150 relevant sources.
As a member of this All-Party Parliamentary Group, The Physiological Society is pleased to support the report’s recommendations.
The report features five key findings and three recommendations.
Key findings
1. The STEM workforce is less diverse than the wider workforce but consistent data collection and sharing is lacking
2. There is a need for the Government to take a multi-pronged approach to drive equity in the STEM workforce
3. Intersectional barriers continue from STEM education into the workforce
4. There is awareness of structural inequity in some large STEM organisations, but no consensus on solution
5. There is already considerable inequity in STEM but COVID-19 is making it worse.
Recommendations
1. The UK Government and STEM organisations, across the private, public and voluntary sectors should commit to leading a ‘STEM Diversity Decade of Action’ to tackle the historic and systemic under-representation of minoritised groups at all levels in the sector.
2. The UK Government must deliver a statutory workforce data strategy and drive forward changes in policy and legislation to support employers to improve equity for minoritised communities in many sectors of the UK workforce, including STEM.
3. The UK Government and STEM organisations must quickly look to address and reverse worsening inequity within the STEM workforce as a result of the pandemic.
The report is available to download from www.britishscienceassociation.org/appg
Commenting on the report launch, Professor Raheela Khan, Chair of The Physiological Society’s Diversity & Inclusion Taskforce, said:
“The Physiological Society is proud to support the report’s recommendations. We believe in a truly equitable, inclusive and welcoming sector which enables people from across society to contribute towards STEM in the UK and beyond.
“The inquiry found inequity in the STEM workforce is widespread for those from minoritised groups and this inequity intersects across ethnicity, gender, disability, sexual identity, geography and socio-economic status.
“The evidence received shows how barriers appear for every minoritised group along the career pathway – from issues in recruitment and retention, to access to mentors, professional development and leadership roles.
“The Society’s Diversity & Inclusion Taskforce is determined that our organisation plays its part in delivering on these recommendations.”
Chi Onwurah MP, Chair of the APPG on Diversity & Inclusion in STEM, said in her Foreword for the Report:
“We know the UK has a STEM skills gap, and we know how recruiting and nurturing a diversity of talent will not only help to address these skills shortages but create equitable economic opportunity with a more innovative and productive sector. But the need for diversity and inclusion in STEM goes further than any skills gap or economic imperative; it is our obligation to create an equitable society, free of systemic discrimination for future generations.
“The UK is a world leader in scientific and technological innovation, and we must continue our important work for current and future employees of the STEM workforce to ensure an enduring economic recovery. The recommendations in this report provide an opportunity to unite those working for equity in STEM, and a clear steer for where and how we must take action. Together we have a chance, within the next decade, to meaningfully tackle the systemic under-representation of minoritised groups and foster an inclusive sector across the UK where everyone can belong.”
Katherine Mathieson, Chief Executive of the British Science Association, which acts as Secretariat for the APPG on Diversity & Inclusion in STEM said:
“Lack of representation in STEM has been a known issue for the sector for a long time. Over the last few decades, there have been countless initiatives, programmes and schemes designed to improve the diversity, and in some cases, the inclusivity of our sector. However, there has been very little shift in the make-up of the STEM workforce as a result of this effort.
“With the recommendations and evidence in our report, the Government has the opportunity to act to help mitigate the devastation caused by the pandemic and create equitable economic prosperity now and for future generations. But it is also up to us, in the STEM sector, to do better – to work collaboratively, to deliver joined-up solutions and to share best practice if we are to make any progress on the underrepresentation in our workforce.”