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Diversity and inclusion in STEM

Inquiry

There is evidence to suggest that women, certain ethnic minorities, people with disabilities and those from disadvantaged socioeconomic backgrounds are underrepresented in education, training and employment related to STEM. While there is significant variation in rates of progression and outcomes across ethnic minority groups, research shows that ethnic minority staff and students have consistently poorer outcomes than white staff and students. There is also variation within ethnic minorities. Recent data from the APPG on Diversity and Inclusion in STEM show that 65% of the STEM workforce are white men and that, proportionally, white women are less likely to be STEM workers than ethnic minority women. Further, the percentage of academic staff with a known disability is lower for staff working in STEM than non-STEM, and 2020 data analysis from the APPG on Diversity and Inclusion in STEM found that disabled people of all ethnicities are underrepresented in the STEM workforce.

While there is comparatively less data on the socioeconomic background of the STEM workforce a 2014 Royal Society report found that it does have a strong effect on an individual’s likelihood of entering the scientific workforce.

The importance of diversity amongst the research community has been acknowledged by UK Research and Innovation’s Chief Executive, Dame Ottoline Leyser, who said: “high-quality research and innovation needs diversity. You have to have people with different ideas and different backgrounds coming together to create the kind of environment where extraordinary things happen”.

We understand that the issues raised in this work may be sensitive or upsetting and the following organisations may be able to offer support or further information:

Samaritans – General support for everyone. Call 116 123 - 24 hours a day, every day, or email jo@samaritans.org
Mind – for information, advice, and support for anyone experiencing a mental health problem. Call 0300 123 3393.
Citizens Advice - For independent, free advice provided by a network of charities online, over the phone and in person on a wide variety of issues including benefits, work, debt, housing, family and immigration. Their Adviceline is available 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, by calling 0800 144 8848 (England) or 0800 702 2020 (Wales)

This inquiry is no longer accepting evidence

The deadline for submissions was Friday 14 January 2022.

Work news

Ministers and UKRI to face questions on diversity and inclusion in STEM

Committee to question the Science Minister, School Standards Minister and Equalities Minister on actions taken by the Government to address diversity and inclusion issues in STEM

Headteachers and experts questioned on low uptake of physics and maths by girls

Science and Technology Committee examines why certain groups of children are underrepresented in STEM subjects

Disability, social mobility and issues faced by LGBTQ+ people in STEM examined by MPs

The Science and Technology Committee questions Michaela Community School Headmistress and Chair of the Social Mobility Commission Katharine Birbalsingh

MPs explore diversity and inclusion in STEM education

Science and Technology Committee explore the underrepresentation of women, people from ethnic minority backgrounds and disabled people

Committee to hold first evidence session of its inquiry into diversity in STEM

Committee to hold the first evidence session of its inquiry into diversity in STEM

17 February 2022

Improving diversity in STEM: MPs launch inquiry

Committee launch new inquiry on improving diversity in the science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) sector

22 November 2021

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