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Topics and policy

Diversity in science

Overview

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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Reports and publications

Read or download all our reports, publications and consultation responses.

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Black History Month 2020

This year, we are highlighting previously unrecognised contributions of Black individuals and peoples to the history of science.

Understanding unconscious bias

This animation and briefing on unconscious bias introduce the key concepts and current academic research around unconscious bias

Making better decisions in groups

Based on the research work of Dr Dan Bang and Professor Chris Frith FRS, this introduces the key concepts around improving decision making in groups.

  • 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

  • Inspiring Scientists: Diversity in British Science

    Case studies and projects highlighting diversity in British Science.

    Explore the profiles

  • 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

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 Veronica van Heyningen

Professor Veronica van Heyningen is a geneticist who studies eye development and disease at University College London.

She is a champion of diversity and inclusion in STEM and current Chair of the Royal Society Diversity Committee.

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