Equality, diversity and inclusion

Science should be open to everyone, without barriers that prevent people from reaching their full potential. A scientific community that is as diverse and inclusive as possible can only improve what it is able to achieve.

Diversity and Inclusion Strategy 2024-29 (PDF)

outline of an abstract white scientific figure on a plum background

Women in STEM

Celebrate the achievements of women in STEM, and discover the Royal Society's work to support and empower more women and girls to get involved in science.

Why does diversity and inclusion matter for science?

Diversity is an essential part of the Royal Society’s mission to recognise, promote and support excellence in science, and to encourage the development and use of science for the benefit of humanity. A diverse and inclusive scientific community that brings together the widest range of talents, backgrounds, perspectives and experiences, maximises scientific innovation and creativity, as well as the competitiveness of the UK scientific industry.

Yet, the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) sector in this country is not as diverse as it could be as shown in many reports including those commissioned by the Royal Society. We want science education and careers to be open to all and to create a research and innovation sector that is inclusive and welcoming.

As the UK’s national academy of science, engineering, technology, and mathematics (‘STEM’), the Society is committed to increasing diversity in science by embedding diversity and inclusion into its activities and organisational culture, and by encouraging the participation of excellent scientists from under-represented groups in the wider research community.

The Royal Society actively monitors diversity across its own activities and publishes an annual data report to help track progress.

The Royal Society is a self-governing Fellowship made up of some of the most distinguished scientists, engineers and technologists in the world. Fellows are elected for life through a rigorous peer review process on the basis of outstanding achievements in science. All categories of Fellow have equal rights within the Society and are encouraged to engage fully in its activities.

The effectiveness of the Society depends on having, and drawing upon the expertise of, a diverse Fellowship. Although this diversity has historically been limited, the Society has implemented many changes to build a Fellowship that is more representative of scientific excellence in all its forms. This has included amending election processes to ensure they are supportive of diversity, encouraging the nomination of diverse candidates by the Fellowship and the creation of dedicated search panels. The proportion of women elected to the Fellowship annually has now increased to 26% from 2016 to 2025 (with a corresponding gradual increase to the proportion of women in the Fellowship, which currently stands at 15%) and Fellows, based in over 35 countries around the world, cover a wide range of scientific disciplines.

Advancing the representation of exceptional scientists from all backgrounds and working in all scientific contexts continues to be a priority for the Society.

We continue to look for ways to ensure that our grant funding is inclusive, considering the entire journey from promotion through to application, awards and post award activities.

Alongside the work looking at our overall grant funding, the Society has recently initiated a pilot fellowship programme aimed at researchers from underrepresented groups, with the first call aimed at researchers with black heritage. Find out more about the Career Development Fellowships.

Alongside the work we do to promote better diversity amongst the Fellowship and those we fund, we want to ensure that the Society is a place which is welcoming and inclusive for everyone who works here or is interested in working at the Society. Find out about some of our staff initiatives here.

The Society’s Diversity and Inclusion team support the Diversity and Inclusion Committee to deliver a programme of work that encourages greater participation in science from people from underrepresented groups. These activities range from mentoring programmes with young people to the commissioning of reports that highlight areas of underrepresentation and recommendations for the sector to campaigns that celebrate the achievements of people from minority or disadvantaged groups.