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Topics and policy

Diversity in science

Diversity is essential to delivering excellence in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).  A diverse and inclusive scientific workforce draws from the widest range of backgrounds, perspectives and experiences thereby maximising innovation and creativity in science for the benefit of humanity.

The Society is committed to increasing diversity in STEM by seeking out participation from underrepresented groups, in order to build and develop a world in which studying and working in science are open to all.

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  • A picture of the UK scientific workforce

    A picture of the UK scientific workforce in terms of gender, ethnicity and disability.

    Read the report

  • Understanding unconscious bias

    Animation and briefing adapted by Professor Uta Frith introducing the key concepts and current academic research around unconscious bias.

    Watch and read

    Read Uta's blog post

  • Parent Carer Scientist

    A collection of 150 personal stories from scientists who are combining a career in research with their roles as parents and carers, each in their own way.

    Explore the stories

  • I wasn’t always a scientist

    ‘I wasn't always a scientist' reveals the stories of scientists who didn’t take traditional routes into their scientific careers.

    Watch the videos

  • A business case for diversity

    We commissioned research into the business case for diversity in the scientific workforce.

    Read the research

  • Inspiring Scientists: Diversity in British Science

    Case studies and projects highlighting diversity in British Science.

    Explore the profiles

  • Best practice case studies

    Examples of how organisations have improved the diversity of their workforce.

    View the case studies

In Verba blog

Athena Forum

We support and provide the secretariat for the Athena Forum, an independent and expert voice on the issues of women’s career progression and their representation in higher education and research.

Visit the Athena Forum website

STEMM Disability Advisory Committee

We support and provide the secretariat for the Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths and Medicine Disability Advisory Committee (STEMM-DAC), a cross-STEMM collaborative group of professional bodies and learned societies, that promotes the inclusion of disabled people in STEMM education and employment.

Visit the STEMM-DAC website

Fellows working in this area

Professor Uta Frith

Professor Uta Frith is a developmental psychologist at the Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience at University College London with a special interest in autism and dyslexia.

She is also an advocate for the advancement of women in science and has founded support networks for female scientists. Professor Frith currently chairs the Royal Society’s Diversity Committee.